accepts the honor. I know the king, he is too proud to be distrustful,
and so conceited that he can never believe himself deceived in any man,
either friend or foe. The man whom he appointed to be his Regent, whom he
designated as the worthiest in the land, he will most unwillingly
condemn. Today you still have the car of the king; to-morrow he will
listen to your enemies, and too much has occurred in Thebes to be blotted
out. You are in the position of a lion who has his keeper on one side,
and the bars of his cage on the other. If you let the moment pass without
striking you will remain in the cage; but if you act and show yourself a
lion your keepers are done for!"

"You urge me on and on," said Ani. "But supposing your plan were to fail,
as Paaker's well considered plot failed?"

"Then you are no worse off than you are now," answered Katuti. "The Gods
rule the elements, not men. Is it likely that you should finish so
beautiful a structure with such care only to destroy it? And we have no
accomplices, and need none."

"But who shall set the brand to the room which Nemu and the slave have
filled with straw and pitch?" asked Ani.

"I," said Katuti decidedly. "And one who has nothing to look for from
Rameses."

"Who is that?"

"Paaker."

"Is the Mohar here?" asked the Regent surprised.

"You yourself have seen him."

"You are mistaken," said Ani. "I should--"

"Do you recollect the one-eyed, grey-haired, blackman, who yesterday
brought me a letter? That was my sister's son."

The Regent struck his forehead--"Poor wretch" he muttered.

"He is frightfully altered," said Katuti. "He need not have blackened his
face, for his own mother would not know him again: He lost an eye in his
fight with Mena, who also wounded him in the lungs with a thrust of his
sword, so that he breathes and speaks with difficulty, his broad
shoulders have lost their flesh, and the fine legs he swaggered about on
have shrunk as thin as a negro's. I let him pass as my servant without
any hesitation or misgiving. He does not yet know of my purpose, but I am
sure that he would help us if a thousand deaths threatened him. For God's
sake put aside all doubts and fears! We will shake the tree for you, if
you will only hold out your hand to-morrow to pick up the fruit. Only one
thing I must beg. Command the head butler not to stint the wine, so that
the guards may give us no trouble. I know that you gave the order that
only three of the fi