ot together to carry out the murder
of one in his position; it must be some one of far greater importance.
Neco may not have been liked, but he was certainly held in esteem by
all the priests in the temple."

"You see, father," Chebron said, "that Ptylus is an ambitious man, and
may have hoped at some time or other to become high priest. Neco would
have stood in his way, for, as the office is hereditary, if the eldest
son is fitted to undertake it, Neco would almost certainly be
selected."

"That is true, Chebron, but I have no reason to credit Ptylus with
such wickedness; beside, he would hardly take other people into his
confidence did he entertain such a scheme. Moreover, knowing that
they were overheard last night, although they cannot tell how much may
have been gathered by the listener, they would assuredly not have
carried the plan into execution; besides which, as you say, no plan
was arrived at, and after the whole temple was disturbed they would
hardly have met afterward and arranged this fresh scheme of murder.
No. If Neco was killed by them, it must have been that they suspected
that he was one of those who overheard them. His figure is not unlike
yours. They may probably have obtained a glimpse of you on the walls,
and have noticed your priest's attire. He was in the temple late, and
probably left just before you were discovered. Believing, then, that
they were overheard, and thinking that one of the listeners was Neco,
they decided for their own safety to remove him. Of course it is mere
assumption that Ptylus was one of those you overheard last night. His
absence to-day is the only thing we have against him, and that alone
is wholly insufficient to enable us to move in the matter. The whole
affair is a terrible mystery; be assured I will do my best to unravel
it. At present, in any case, we can do nothing. Ptylus and the four
priests who are absent will doubtless return when they find that no
accusation is laid against them. They will suppose that the other
person who overheard them, whoever he was, is either afraid to come
forward, or perhaps heard only a few words and is ignorant of the
identity of the speakers. Indeed, he would be a bold man who would
venture to prefer so terrible an accusation against five of the
priests of the temple. I do not blame you in the matter, for you could
not have foreseen the events that have happened. It was the will of
the gods that you should have learned what you hav