[The Complete Historical Romances of Georg Ebers by Georg Ebers]@TWC D-Link bookThe Complete Historical Romances of Georg Ebers CHAPTER XLIII 3/17
Under the windows of the king's rooms, at least forty feet from the ground, was a narrow parapet resting on the ends of the beams which supported the rafters on which lay the floor of the upper story in which the king slept.
These rafters had been smeared with pitch, and straw had been laid between them, and the pioneer would have known how to find the opening where he was to put in the brand even if he had been blind of both eyes. When Katuti first sounded her whistle he slunk to his post; he was challenged by no watchman, for the few guards who had been placed in the immediate vicinity of the pavilion, had all gone to sleep under the influence of the Regent's wine.
Paaker climbed up to about the height of two men from the ground by the help of the ornamental carving on the outside wall of the palace; there a rope ladder was attached, he clambered up this, and soon stood on the parapet, above which were the windows of the king's rooms, and below which the fire was to be laid. Rameses' room was brightly illuminated.
Paaker could see into it without being seen, and could bear every word that was spoken within.
The king was sitting in an arm-chair, and looked thoughtfully at the ground; before him stood the Regent, and Mena stood by his couch, holding in his hand the king's sleeping-robe. Presently Rameses raised his head, and said, as he offered his hand with frank affection to Ani: "Let me bring this glorious day to a worthy end, cousin.
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