rowing up in his own breast."

"But the laws," exclaimed Ameni, "grow and spread like shadowy woods;
they are made by no one. I loved the poet, yet I must restrain him, else
he will break down all barriers, like the Nile when it swells too high.
And what he says of the miracle--"

"Did you devise it?"

"By the Holy One--no!" cried Ameni.

"And yet Pentaur is sincere, and inclined to faith," said the old man
doubtfully.

"I know it," returned Ameni. "It happened as he said. But who did it, and
who told him of the shameful deed?"

Both the priests stood thoughtfully gazing at the floor.

Ameni first broke the silence.

"Pentaur came in with Nebsecht," he exclaimed, "and they are intimate
friends. Where was the leech while I was staying in Thebes?"

"He was taking care of the child hurt by Bent-Anat--the child of the
paraschites Pinem, and he stayed there three days," replied Gagabu.

"And it was Pinem," said Ameni, "that opened the body of Rui! Now I know
who has dimmed Pentaur's faith. It was that inquisitive stutterer, and he
shall be made to repent of it. For the present let us think of
to-morrow's feast, but the day after I will examine that nice couple, and
will act with iron severity."

"First let us examine the naturalist in private," said Gagabu. "He is an
ornament to the temple, for he has investigated many matters, and his
dexterity is wonderful."

"All that may be considered Ameni said, interrupting the old enough to
think of at present."

"And even more to consider later," retorted Gagabu. "We have entered on a
dangerous path. You know very well I am still hot-headed, though I am old
in years, and alas! timidity was never my weakness; but Rameses is a
powerful man, and duty compels me to ask you: Is it mere hatred for the
king that has led you to take these hasty and imprudent steps?"

"I have no hatred for Rameses," answered Ameni gravely. "If he did not
wear the crown I could love him; I know him too, as well as if I were his
brother, and value all that is great in him; nay I will admit that he is
disfigured by no littleness. If I did not know how strong the enemy is,
we might try to overthrow him with smaller means. You know as well as I
do that he is our enemy. Not yours, nor mine, nor the enemy of the Gods;
but the enemy of the old and reverend ordinances by which this people and
this country must be governed, and above all of those who are required to
protect the wisdom of the fathers, a