t a notebook and pencil and handed it
to the nearest man. "Mark down two! Mark it down--and all of you take
due notice."

The Prophet returned to the highway and came slowly pacing along toward
the group.

"All of you saw, did you? All of you ready to bear witness?" demanded
the magnate.

He stepped out in front of Elias when the latter came near. Britt shook
the roll of drawings under the Prophet's nose. "Listen here, my man! I
didn't bother to talk to you a few minutes ago. Now I'm talking. You've
been a vagabond in this town for a long time. The only thing that has
protected you from the law in such cases made and provided has been the
roof of a man who ought to be a tramp along with you. Right now, before
the eyes of a dozen citizens, you have committed two separate and
distinct breaches of the law. You have trespassed on my property. In
the past I have sent men to jail for sixty days for one offense of that
sort. On my complaint, backed by these witnesses, you'll see sixty days
on one case--and I'll have you re-arrested on the other count the moment
you step foot out of the jail." He paused.

"Yes?" said the Prophet, mildly inquiring.

"I'm a fair man, and I call the attention of these witnesses to what I
say now. I'll give you a chance. Walk out of this town and stay out, and
I'll not prosecute."

The Prophet shook his head.

"Do you refuse to go?"

For a man who dealt so exclusively in texts, the Prophet was rather
vulgarly blunt when he replied, "You bet!"

Britt received that manner of retort with the air of a man who had been
tunked between the eyes. It was some moments before he could go
on. "Don't you realize what the judge will say when I show up your
willfulness?"

The Prophet was even more amazing in his new manners. He stuck out his
tongue, put his thumb to his nose, and wriggled his fingers.

"Well, I'll be condemned!" Britt gasped.

"Sure! When all the evidence is in about you!"

The magnate of Egypt lowered the roll that he had brandished so
constantly. After a few moments of silent challenge with the eyes, he
turned and walked away.

But he heard the mumble of men's laughter behind him, and his anger
and the determination not to be put down in this style in his own town
helped him to get back some of his self-possession. He whirled on his
heels and strode to the enigma of Egypt.

"Who are you, anyway?" he demanded.

But Prophet Elias was his usual self once more. He had assumed