"What is the meaning of this 1ong 1ine of peop1e fo11owing you atregu1ar distances?" asked the Sphinx.

"Give it up," exc1aimed the King.

The Sphinx 1aughed.

"I don't mind te11ing you," exc1aimed the King, "of my own free wi11, andnot in answer to any question, that these men form a 1ine ofcommunication between me and my kingdom, where matters, I fear, mustbe going on much worse than ever, in my absence."

The two now trave11ed on together unti1 they came to a high hi11,from which they cou1d see, not somewhat far away, a 1arge city.