Egypt by right of race, and your husband
by the promise of him who ruled before you whom Abi did to death. Cause
this Abi to gather a great army, and to march southward to make an end
of Rames. But secretly whisper into the ears of the generals of this
army, that it is true the divine Pharaoh who is gone promised you in
marriage to Rames with your own consent, and by the command of Amen,
Father of the Gods, and of your Spirit. Whisper to them that Amen is
wrath with Abi because of his crime, as he will show them in due season,
and that those who rebel against him shall have his love and favour. At
the Gateway of the South, whence the Nile rushes northward between great
walls of rock, Rames shall meet the army of Abi. With him will come her
of whom you are, and I whom you must obey; also perchance another who
is greater than all of us. There at the Gateway of the South your task
shall be accomplished, and you shall find the rest you seek. It is
said."

"I hear the command, and it shall be done," answered the Ka in its cold,
passionless voice. "Only, Lady of the Secrets, Doer of the Will Divine,
delay not, lest, outworn, I should break back like a flame to yonder
breast that is my home, slaying as I come, and leaving wreck behind me."

Then as the figure had appeared, so also it disappeared, growing faint
by degrees, and vanishing away into the night out of which it came.

It was morning at Thebes, and Abi sat in the great hall of Pharaoh
transacting business of the State, while at his side stood Kaku the
Vizier. Changed were both of them, indeed, since they had plotted the
death of their guest and king at Memphis, for now Abi was so worn with
work and fear and wretchedness, that his royal robes hung about him in
loose folds, while Kaku had become an old, old man, who trembled as he
walked.

"Is the business finished, Officer?" asked Abi impatiently.

"Nay, Mighty Lord," answered Kaku, "there is still enough to keep you
sitting here till noon, and after that you must receive the Council and
the Embassies."

"I will not receive them. Let them wait till another day. Knave, would
you work me to death, who have never known an hour's rest or peace since
the happy time when I ruled as Prince of Memphis?"

"Lord," answered Kaku, bowing humbly, "weary or no you must receive
them, for so it has been decreed by her Majesty the Queen, whose command
may not be broken."

"The Queen!" exclaimed Abi in a low voice, rolling