Robert explained how much simpler it was to pay money for things than to exchange them as the people were doing in the market. Later on the soldier gave the coins to his captain, who, later still, showed them to Pharaoh, who of course kept them and was much struck with the idea. That was really how coins first came to be used in Egypt. You will not believe this, I daresay, but really, if you believe the rest of the story, I don’t see why you shouldn’t believe this as well. “I say,” said Anthea, struck by a sudden thought, “I suppose it’ll be all right about those workmen? The King won’t go back on what he said about them just because he’s angry with us?” “Oh, no,” said the soldier, “you see, he’s rather afraid of magic. He’ll keep to his word right enough.” “Then _that’s_ all right,” said Robert; and Anthea said softly and coaxingly— “Ah, _do_ get us the monkey, and then you’ll see some lovely magic. Do—there’s a nice, kind soldier.” “I don’t know where they’ve put your precious monkey, but if I can get another chap to take on my duty here I’ll see what I can do,” he said grudgingly, and went out. “Do you mean,” said Robert, “that we’re going off without even _trying_ for the other half of the Amulet?” “I really think we’d better,” said Anthea tremulously. “Of course the other half of the Amulet’s here somewhere or our half wouldn’t have brought us here. I do wish we could find it. It is a pity we don’t know any _real_ magic. Then we could find out. I do wonder where it is—exactly.” If they had only known it, something very like the other half of the Amulet was very near them. It hung round the neck of someone, and that someone was watching them through a chink, high up in the wall, specially devised for watching people who were imprisoned. But they did not know. There was nearly an hour of anxious waiting. They tried to take an interest in the picture on the wall, a picture of harpers playing very odd harps and women dancing at a feast. They examined the painted plaster floor, and the chairs were of white painted wood with coloured stripes at intervals. But the time went slowly, and everyone had time to think of how Pharaoh had said, “Don’t torture them—_yet_.” “If the worst comes to the worst,” said Cyril, “we must just bunk, and leave the Psammead. I believe it can take care of itself well enough. They won’t kill it or hurt it when they find it can speak and give wishes. They’ll build it a temple, I shouldn’t wonder.” “I couldn’t bear to go without it,” said Anthea, “and Pharaoh said ‘After supper’, that won’t be just yet. And the soldier _was_ curious. I’m sure we’re all right for the present.” All the same, the sounds of the door being unbarred seemed one of the prettiest sounds possible. “Suppose he hasn’t got the Psammead?” whispered Jane. But that doubt was set at rest by the Psammead itself; for almost before the door was open it sprang through the chink of it into Anthea’s arms, shivering and hunching up its fur.