ery murderers of Pharaoh, my Father, who would have also
brought me to shame. Why are my eyes affronted with the sight of them?"
asked Tua indignantly.

"Because the Messenger of the Gods, clothed as a Beggar-man, commanded
it, your Majesty," answered the High-Priest. "Now we understand that
they are brought hither to be judged for the murder of Pharaoh, the good
god who was your father."

"Shall a wife sit in judgment on her husband?" broke in Abi.

"Man," said Tua, "I never was your wife. How can I have been your wife,
who have not seen you since the death of Pharaoh? Listen, now, all
of you, to the tale of that marvel which has come to pass. At my
birth--you, O High-Priest, should know it well--Amen gave to me a Ka, a
Self within myself, to protect me in all dangers. The dangers came upon
me, and Asti the Magician, my foster-mother, speaking the words that had
been taught to her by the spirit of the divine Ahura who bore me, called
forth that Ka of mine, and left it where I had been, to be the wife of
Abi, such a wife, I think, as never man had before. But me, Amen, my
father, rescued, and with me Asti, bearing us in the Boat of the Sun to
far lands, and protecting us in many perils, till at length we came to
the city of Napata, where we found a certain servant of mine whom, as it
chances, I--love," and she looked at Rames and smiled.

"Meanwhile, my Shadow did the work to which it was appointed, ruling for
me in Egypt, and drawing on Abi to his ruin. But last night It returned
to me, and will be seen no more by men, except, perchance, in my tomb
after I am dead. Judge you if my tale be true, and whether I am indeed
Neter-Tua, Daughter of Amen," and opening the wrappings about her
throat, she showed the holy sign that was stamped above her breast,
adding:

"The High-Priest yonder should know this mark, for he saw it at my
birth."

Now the aged man drew near, looked, and said:

"It is the sign. Here shines the Star of Amen and no other. Still we do
not understand. Tell us the tale, O Asti."

So Asti stood forward, and told that tale, omitting nothing, and then
Rames told his tale, whereto Tua the Queen added a little, and, although
ere they finished the sun was high, none wearied in listening save only
Abi, Kaku, and Merytra, who heard death in every word.

It was done at length, and a great silence fell upon the place, for the
tongues of men were tied. Presently, the High-Priest, who all this while
had sto