to marvel at, for I see the star of that
famous robber chief, Boh Lek Byah, and following it closely is the star
of none other than the ruler of the Golden Palace himself."

For a long time the astrologer sat upon his veranda pondering over this
strange occurrence and trying to think what it should portend; but in
vain. He could think of no solution of the mystery, so after again
saying that it was a good thing to marvel at he gave it up and went into
his house to sleep.

Thus did the thief discover the high rank of his new disciple, for the
astrologer knew the star of the _boh_ well and would make no mistake. He
also knew the star of the king. Had this same astrologer not cast the
horoscope of the robber chief and foretold which days were lucky and
which unlucky to him, so that by taking heed he had never been caught?
Therefore when he again came forth from under the royal astrologer's
house and saw the king was still waiting without, even as he had given
orders, his mind was filled with great fear.

Then said the king directly he saw the robber: "O Kin Byah, thy servant
knows a place where there are so many rubies that they are as common as
_maknin_ seeds that the children play with in the dust; gold is as
plentiful as iron is with us, and there is enough silk to stock ten
bazaars. All this is within reach of our hands. I can guide thee to the
place, for I know it well; wilt thou follow?"

Then said the thief: "I know of but one place of which thou canst say
that with truth, and that is the Golden Palace; but a man may not enter
there and live. Knowest thou not that the guards carry sharp _dahs_, and
that if a man is caught there without permission from the king or one of
his _amats_, he is immediately impaled? In very truth it is a place good
to shun and fear greatly, even as the den of a hungry tiger in the
jungle."

"True, O brave man," replied the king, "but this evening as I passed by
the palace I saw hanging from the top of the wall a rope-ladder; we can
climb over, take enough to make us rich for the rest of our lives, and
run away before the guards with the sharp _dahs_ discover that we have
been there. Thus shall we earn much wealth and glory, and people
throughout the land will call our lord the 'Boh Who Entered the Golden
Palace,' and all men will fear his name more than the name of a hungry
leopard."

Then were the thoughts of the _boh_ in great confusion, and he said to
himself: "Of a truth I am ab