h to call him back or
perhaps to clasp him. As he did so I saw his face change. Next instant
he fell forward to the ground and lay there still. All the company stood
struck with horror, only the royal physician ran to him, while Roi and
others who were priests began to mutter prayers.

"Has the good god been gathered to Osiris?" asked Amenmeses presently in
a hoarse voice, "because if it be so, I am Pharaoh."

"Nay, Amenmeses," exclaimed Userti, "the decrees have not yet been
sealed or promulgated. They have neither strength nor weight."

Before he could answer the physician cried:

"Peace! Pharaoh still lives, his heart beats. This is but a fit which
may pass. Begone, every one, he must have quiet."

So we went, but first Seti knelt down and kissed his father on the brow.

An hour later the Princess Userti broke into the room of his palace
where the Prince and I were talking.

"Seti," she said, "Pharaoh still lives, but the physicians say he will
be dead by dawn. There is yet time. Here I have a writing, sealed with
his signet and witnessed, wherein he recalls all that he decreed in the
Court to-day, and declares you, his son, to be the true and only heir of
the throne of Egypt."

"Is it so, wife? Tell me now how did a dying man in a swoon command and
seal this writing?" and he touched the scroll she held in her hand.

"He recovered for a little while; Nehesi will tell you how," she
replied, looking him in the face with cold eyes. Then before he could
speak, she added, "Waste no more breath in questions, but act and
at once. The General of the guards waits below; he is your faithful
servant. Through him I have promised a gift to every soldier on the day
that you are crowned. Nehesi and most of the officers are on our side.
Only the priests are against us because of that Hebrew witch whom you
shelter, and of her tribe whom you befriend; but they have not had time
to stir up the people nor will they attempt revolt. Act, Seti, act, for
none will move without your express command. Moreover, no question will
be raised afterwards, since from Thebes to the sea and throughout the
world you are known to be the heir of Egypt."

"What would you have me do, wife?" asked Seti, when she paused for lack
of breath.

"Cannot you guess? Must I put statecraft into your head as well as a
sword into your hand? Why that scribe of yours, who follows your heels
like a favoured dog, would be more apt a pupil. Hearken then. Amen