ore pardon for what he said he had not committed.

"Cease," she exclaimed, "and learn that your life is spared for a while,
yes, and even Merytra's. Also you will retain your office of Vizier--for
a while."

Now he began to pour out thanks, but she stopped him, saying:

"Thank me not, seeing that you do not know the end of this matter.
Perchance it is hidden from you lest you should go mad, you and your
wife, Merytra, she who was the Pharaoh's Lady of the Footstool, and sang
him to sleep. Look at me, Wizard, and tell me, who am I?" and she bent
down over him.

He glanced up at her, and their eyes met, nor could he turn his head
away again.

"Come," she said, "as you may have learned to-night, I also have some
knowledge of the hidden things. For otherwise, why did the earth shake
and the everlasting pillars fall at my bidding? Now, between two of
a trade there should be no secrets, so I will tell you something that
perhaps you have already guessed, since I am sure that you will not
repeat it even to your master or to Merytra. For I will add this--that
the moment you repeat it will be the moment of your death, and the
beginning of that punishment which here I withhold. Now, in the Name of
the Eater-up of Souls, listen to me, O fashioner of waxen images!" and,
bending down, she whispered into his ear.

Another instant, and, stark horror written on his face, the tall shape
of Kaku was seen reeling backward, like to a drunken man. Indeed, had
not Abi caught him he would have fallen over the edge of the dais.

"What did she tell you?" he muttered, for the Queen, who seemed to have
forgotten all about him, was looking the other way.

But, making no answer, Kaku wrenched himself free and fled the place.

CHAPTER XIII

ABI LEARNS THE TRUTH

A moon had gone by, and on the first day of the new month Kaku the
Vizier sat in the Hall of the Great Officers at Memphis, checking the
public accounts of the city. It was not easy work, for during the past
ten days twice these accounts had been sent back to him by the command
of the Queen, or the Pharaoh as she called herself, with requests
for information as to their items, and other awkward queries. Abi had
overlooked such matters, recognising that a faithful servant was worthy
of his hire--provided that he paid himself. But now it seemed that
things were different, and that the amount received was the exact amount
that had to be handed over to the Crown, neither more nor