E. Hoffman Price

“ The hour is at hand; for there is one here of whom I have for some time been weary, and who will soon occupy the twelfth pedestal."
The girl paused, flung into a censer at the Dreamer's feet a handful of incense, and resumed as she turned to face Schamas ad Din, "But think well, Son of the Old Tiger. A lesser vengeance, and one such as you contemplated when you sought me, could be bought much more cheaply.... So back to the courtyard and ponder with clear sky over your head. For only that old rogue of an Ismeddin ever escaped the penalty...." ”

“ But listen: I have devised a doom which will make that pit seem a childish game, and the companions of the pit pleasant playmates. For those whom these ruins have done to death and torment and madness have lived but a month or two of frenzy. But what I have devised——"
He paused, ignoring the prisoner and his pleas. The sultan's smile faded, and his features became drawn and thoughtful. He leaned against the balustrade, and stared at those eleven all too life-like figures squatting on their pedestals of chiseled stone.
The executioners were now supporting rather than holding fast the prisoner. ”

“ The sultan thrust his cushions a sword's length to the right, and moved just far enough to be secure against further rifle fire from the minaret of the neighboring mosque.
"With enough trials," resumed Schamas ad Din, "Maksoud may not have to wait for the British Resident to find a pretext to depose me."
"It might not have been the son of your brother," suggested Amru, as he moved the fuming nargileh to the sultan's new position, and offered him the carved jade stem. "There are several who have old grudges to settle." ”

“ But now a Resident stands behind my throne. Look what has happened to my old enemy the Rajah of Lacra-kai, on whom be peace!"
The darvish shrugged his shoulders. "I was in the hall of audience. I saw and I heard. And we two are powerless. But, inschallah! There is yet much that can be done."
"Then let it be done—before I am deposed."
"You shall have your vengeance, saidi. There is one who is the master of vengeances. The Lord of the World, who sits dreaming in the ruins of Atlânaat."
The sultan shivered. "Why speak of Atlânaat? ”

“ You have become as immobile as those eleven who were once kings. And with another pass I could weave about you that silence from the ancient mountains, from which you could not emerge until the end of all time.... ”

“ The sultan drew his simitar.
"Your friends shall seek you with daggers in your gardens. Poison shall lurk in your food and in your thoughts. Bungling marksmen shall never quite attain the mark you will finally wish them to attain. Your enemies will pity you."
The simitar flickered twice, and the stout cords fell from Maksoud's wrists and ankles.
"To horse, Maksoud, and ride to your throne!"
The sultan sheathed his blade, advanced a pace down the spiral pathway of darkness, then paused to listen to the hoof-beats of Maksoud's cavalcade.
Old Ismeddin leaned over the balustrade.
"A moment, saidi! ”

“ But not being a god, I may escape my doom."
"And how might that be?" queried the girl.
Her left eyebrow rose ever so slightly. She nodded approvingly at Schamas ad Din.
"You might," suggested the sultan, "whisper into his ear a thought I might whisper into yours."
"In a word, saidi," said the girl, "you wish that mad kingdom of yours made a bit more habitable for its ruler? You came seeking vengeance, and end by wanting to recast your entire fate? But that would be unreasonable ”