The adventures of Rimmani, a boy of twelve, are excitingly told in this story of Babylon in the reign of King Hammurabi. A journey across the desert to deliver to the King of Egypt a rare blue stone provides a story full of suspense from the first page.

Rimmani's hazardous journey begins when he is entrusted with a loan of gold to deliver to his father in Asshur. This done, he starts out with his father on the long trip to Egypt. In the mountains of Syria the caravan is plundered, and Rimmani goes on alone, joining a friendly Bedouin merchant train. He carries the precious stone without misshap to Egypt, only to have it stolen from under the eyes of the chief treasurer of the King. In the frantic search for the blue stone, the cliff tomb of Ameni plays a mysterious part.

Here is a story that conveys automatically the atmosphere and customs of ancient Babylon, and yet holds the reader with suspense—a rare and valuable combination.

From the dust jacket