on this dagger-stroke that shall cut the thread of
Cleopatra's life. Listen, Harmachis. _Thou_ must do the deed, and _thou_
alone! Myself I would do it, had my arm the strength; but it has not.
It cannot be done by poison, for every drop she drinks and every morsel
that shall touch her lips is strictly tasted by three separate tasters,
who cannot be suborned. Nor may the eunuchs of the guard be trusted.
Two, indeed, are sworn to us; but the third cannot be come at. He must
be cut down afterwards; and, indeed, when so many men must fall, what
matters a eunuch more or less? Thus it shall be, then. To-morrow night,
at three hours before midnight thou dost cast the final augury of the
issue of the war. And then thou wilt, as is agreed, descend alone with
me, having the signet, to the outer chamber of the Queen's apartment.
For the vessel bearing orders to the Legions sails from Alexandria at
the following dawn; and alone with Cleopatra, since she wills that
the thing be kept secret as the sea, thou wilt read the message of the
stars. And as she pores over the papyrus, then must thou stab her in
the back, so that she dies; and see thou that thy will and arm fail thee
not! The deed being done--and indeed it will be easy--thou wilt take
the signet and pass out to where the eunuch is--for the others will be
wanting. If by any chance there is trouble with him--but there will be
no trouble, for he dare not enter the private rooms, and the sounds
of death cannot reach so far--thou must cut him down. Then I will meet
thee; and, passing on, we will come to Paulus, and it shall be my care
to see that he is neither drunk nor backward, for I know how to hold him
to the task. And he and those with him shall throw open the side gate,
when Sepa and the five hundred chosen men who are in waiting shall pour
in and cast themselves upon the sleeping legionaries, putting them to
the sword. Why, the thing is easy so thou rest true to thyself, and let
no womanish fears creep into thy heart. What is this dagger's thrust? It
is nothing, and yet upon it hang the destinies of Egypt and the world."

"Hush!" I said. "What is that?--I hear a sound."

Charmion ran to the door, and, gazing down the long, dark passage,
listened. In a moment she came back, her finger on her lips. "It is the
Queen," she whispered hurriedly; "the Queen who mounts the stair alone.
I heard her bid Iras to leave her. I may not be found alone with thee
at this hour; it has a str