xecuted a statue
of Athor in defiance of the sculptor's ritual. For this also, Har-hat
holds a heavy hand over him."

"A murrain on the lawless dreamer!" Rameses muttered. "Is there
anything more?"

Hotep shook his head.

"He deserves his ill-luck. Mark me, now. He will not go mad with a
year's imprisonment, and he will profit by it. Furthermore, he can not
be persuaded into betraying the Israelite, if he knows how long and how
much he will have to endure. Once sentenced, Har-hat can add nothing
more thereto. Has he confessed?"

"To me, he did. I know not what he said to the Pharaoh. But the
Goddess Ma broodeth on the lips of Kenkenes."

Rameses nodded, and clapped his hands. The attendant that appeared he
ordered to bring the scribe's writing-case and implements. When the
servant returned, Hotep, at a sign from Rameses, prepared to write.

"Write thus to the jailer at Tape:

"'By order of the crown prince, Rameses, the prisoner, Kenkenes, held
for slave-stealing and sacrilege, is sentenced to imprisonment for one
year--'"

Hotep lifted his pen, and looked his rebellion.

"Write!" the prince exclaimed. "I do him a kindness, with a lesson
added. Were it in my power to free him I would not--till he had
learned that the law is inexorable and the power of its ministers
supreme. Go on--'at such labor as the prisoner may elect. No further
punishment may be added thereto.' Affix my seal and send this without
fail. Thou canst write whatever thou wilt to Kenkenes. For the
Israelite, I shall not concern myself. The nearer friends to Kenkenes
may look to her. Mine shall be the care only to see that they are not
harassed by the fan-bearer. In this, I fulfil the law. Let Har-hat
help himself."

He dropped back on his divan and Hotep slowly collected his writing
materials and made ready to depart. Having finished, he lingered a
little.

"A word further, O Rameses. Kenkenes is proud. He would liefer die
than suffer the humiliation of public shame. Memphis believes him
dead. None but thyself, Har-hat, the noble Mentu and I know of his
plight. Har-hat hath no call to tell it. Mentu will not; I shall not.
Wilt thou keep his secret also, my Prince?"

"Far be it from me to humiliate him publicly. Let him have a care,
hereafter, that he does not humiliate himself."

"I thank thee, O Rameses."

Saluting the prince, Hotep departed.

That night he wrote to Kenkenes and to Mentu, and the two me