r reject it according to Thy Will."

So she ended, and listening to her, I felt the tears rising in my eyes,
because she was so much alone, and I feared that this god of hers would
never come to save her from the torments of the priests. Seti also
turned his head away, and stared down the sanctuary at the sky over the
open court where the lights of dawn were gathering.

Once more there was silence. Then again that wind blew, very strongly,
extinguishing the lamps, and, as it seemed to me, whirling away Merapi
from where she was, so that now she stood to one side of the statue. The
sanctuary was filled with gloom, till presently the first rays of
the rising sun struck upon the roof. They fell down, down, as minute
followed minute, till at length they rested like a sword of flame upon
the statue of Amon-Ra. Once more that statue seemed to move. I thought
that it lifted its stone arms to protect its head. Then in a moment with
a rending noise, its mighty mass burst asunder, and fell in small dust
about the throne, almost hiding it from sight.

"Behold my God has answered me, the most humble of His servants," said
Merapi in the same sweet and gentle voice. "Behold the sign and the
wonder!"

"Witch!" screamed the head-priest Roi, and fled away, followed by his
fellows.

"Sorceress!" hissed Userti, and fled also, as did all the others, save
the Prince, Bakenkhonsu, I Ana, and Ki the Magician.

We stood amazed, and while we did so, Ki turned to Merapi and spoke.
His face was terrible with fear and fury, and his eyes shone like lamps.
Although he did but whisper, I who was nearest to them heard all that
was said, which the others could not do.

"Your magic is good, Israelite," he muttered, "so good that it has
overcome mine here in the temple where I serve."

"I have no magic," she answered very low. "I obeyed a command, no more."

He laughed bitterly, and asked:

"Should two of a trade waste time on foolishness? Listen now. Teach
me your secrets, and I will teach you mine, and together we will drive
Egypt like a chariot."

"I have no secrets, I have only faith," said Merapi again.

"Woman," he went on, "woman or devil, will you take me for friend or
foe? Here I have been shamed, since it was to me and not to their gods
that the priests trusted to destroy you. Yet I can still forgive. Choose
now, knowing that as my friendship will lead you to rule, to life and
splendour, so my hate will drive you to shame and deat