unrest will
settle like a swarm of smoked bees."

"Ta-user, it is thou that art deceived," Seti remonstrated. "Even the
Pharaoh does not hesitate to assert that Mesu is terribly upright. Not
even he would dream of offering the wizard Hebrew a peace-tribute."

Once again she laughed. "Mind me, I speak reverently of the divine
Meneptah, the Shedder of Light, but I do not marvel that he is no more
willing to deliver over to Mesu one color of gold than another."

Seti looked at her with a puzzled expression. Gazing down into his
eyes, she said with sudden solemnity:

"My Prince, may I give my life into thy hands?"

Impulsively he pressed her hand to his lips.

"The gods overtake me with their vengeance if I guard it not," he
exclaimed.

She drew him from his place on the parapet and led him to a seat in a
corner near the double towers. There she sat, and he dropped down at
her feet. He crossed his arms over her lap and lifted his face to her.
For a moment she was silent, contemplating the young countenance. What
were the thoughts that came to her then? Did she applaud or rebuke
herself? Did she pity or despise him?

Is there more of evil than of good wrought by the mind working silently?

Seti was ripe to be plucked by treachery. His was the faith that is
insulted by a suggestion of wariness.

"While I dwelt obscurely in the Hak-heb," she began, "I was much among
the partizans of Amon-meses. They are friends of the Pharaoh now, so
what I tell is dead sedition. But I heard it when it lived, and thou
knowest the penalty invited by him who listens to criticism of the
king. Attend me, then, for the story is short.

"The history of Mesu is an old tale to thee. Thy noble grandsire's
first queen, Neferari Thermuthis, adopted the Hebrew, and when she died
he shared in the allotment of her treasure. But Mesu was an exile in
Midian at the time, and his share was left with Shaemus, then the heir,
to be given over to the foster-son when he should return. But Shaemus
died, and all thy father's older brothers, so the gracious Meneptah
came to wear the crown. To him fell the guardianship of the Hebrew's
treasure till what time he should return out of Midian. Mesu hath
returned. Hath thy father delivered to him his inheritance?"

Seti's face flamed, but, before he could speak, she went on. "Not so;
not one copper weight. It lies untouched in the treasury. Thine
august sire does not use it, because he hat