ser, lately discarded, could prevail upon the crown prince to
persuade Meneptah, or could herself persuade the king to the overthrow
of the fan-bearer's wishes in the matter. Furthermore, why should the
princess have taken up his cause? But he did not tarry while he
pondered.

His raiment and his money, conscientiously preserved for him by the
authorities, had been sent to him, and a little way outside the camp he
stepped from the lowest to his rightful rank, swifter than he had
descended from it. Covering his sun-burnt shoulders with his robes,
assuming the circlet once again, he went toward the distant city of
Thebes, once more in spirit and dress the son of the royal murket.

At the heavy-walled prison across the Nile he asked after the signet.
It had not been returned with the writing. Neither was there any word
to him concerning his prayer to Pharaoh for the liberty of Rachel. It
began to dawn on him that he had been released only after he had been
sufficiently punished; that he had failed in the most vital aims of his
mission; that the signet, having been found, seemed now to be lost
irretrievably. For a space his relief at his freedom was overshadowed
by chagrin, but after a little he recovered himself. "At least I am
free to care for her, now," he reflected.

Just as he emerged from the imposing doorway of the house of the
governor of police, he was jostled by a half-grown boy. To Kenkenes,
it seemed that the youth had been on the point of entering, but instead
he apologized inaudibly and walked away.

A great rush of impatience, suspense, eagerness and heart-hunger fell
on the young artist the instant he knew his footsteps were turned
toward Memphis and Rachel. The six days that must intervene between
the present time and the moment he entered the old capital seemed
insufferable. Never did a lover so fume against the inexorable
deliberation of time and the obstinate length of distance. The
preliminaries to departure seemed to accumulate and lengthen--and
lessen in importance. Haste consumed him. Under a momentary impulse,
with all seriousness he began to consider his own fleetness of foot as
more expedient than travel by boat. But he put the thought aside, and
summoning as much patience as was possible, set about with all speed
preparing to depart.

Thebes had not awakened from the coma of horror into which it had
lapsed during the great plagues. It was Kenkenes' first visit to the
city sin