your presence--that you do not cast me out as a
wretch who has mortally offended the gods."

Ameres waved his hand impatiently.

"That is not troubling me now, Chebron. I do not view things in the
same way as most men, and should it be that you have to fly for your
life I will tell you more; suffice for you that I do not blame you,
still less regard you with horror. The great thing for us to think of
at present is as to the best steps to be taken. Were you to fly now
you might get several days' start, and might even get out of the
country before an alarm was spread; but upon the other hand, your
disappearance would at once be connected with that of the cat as soon
as it became known that she is missing, whereas if you stay here
quietly it is possible that no one will connect you in any way with
the fact that the cat is gone.

"That something has happened to it will speedily be guessed, for a cat
does not stray away far from the place where it has been bred up;
besides, a cat of such a size and appearance is remarkable, and were
it anywhere in the neighborhood it would speedily be noticed. But now
go and join Amuba in your room, and remain there for the morning as
usual. I will give orders that your instructor be told that you will
not want him to-day, as you are not well. I will see you presently
when I have thought the matter fully out and determined what had best
be done. Keep up a brave heart, my boy; the danger may yet pass over."

Chebron retired overwhelmed with surprise at the kindness with which
his father had spoken to him, when he had expected that he would be so
filled with horror at the terrible act of sacrilege that he would not
have suffered him to remain in the house for a moment after the tale
was told. And yet he had seemed to think chiefly of the danger to his
life, and to be but little affected by what to Chebron himself was by
far the most terrible part of the affair--the religious aspect of the
deed. On entering the room where he pursued his studies he found
Jethro as well as Amuba there.

"I am sorry for you, young master," Jethro said as he entered. "Of
course to me the idea of any fuss being made over the accidental
killing of a cat is ridiculous; but I know how you view it, and the
danger in which it has placed you. I only came in here with Amuba to
say that you can rely upon me, and that if you decide on flight I am
ready at once to accompany you."

"Thanks, Jethro," Chebron replied. "Sh