life have very much more serious
grief to bear than the loss of a cat."

All day the search was maintained, and when it was dark great numbers
of men with torches searched every point far and near on that side of
Thebes. The news had now spread far and wide, and numbers of the
friends of the high priest called to inquire into the particulars of
the loss and to condole with him on the calamity which had befallen
his house. Innumerable theories were broached as to the course the
animal would have taken after once getting out of the garden, while
the chances of its recovery were eagerly discussed. The general
opinion was that it would speedily be found. A cat of such remarkable
appearance must, it was argued, attract notice wherever it went; and
even if it did not return of its own accord, as was generally
expected, it was considered certain that it would be brought back
before many hours.

But when upon the following morning it was found that it had not
returned and that all search for it had been fruitless, there was a
feeling akin to consternation. For the first time men ventured to hint
that something must have befallen the sacred cat. Either in its
rambles some evil dog must have fallen upon it and slain it, or it
must have been carried off by a crocodile as it quenched its thirst at
a pool. That it had fallen by the hand of man no one even suggested.
No Egyptian would be capable of an act of such sacrilege. The idea was
too monstrous to entertain for a moment.

Mysa had cried herself to sleep, and broke forth in fresh lamentation
when upon waking in the morning she heard that her favorite was still
absent; while her mother took the calamity so seriously to heart that
she kept her bed. The slaves went about silently and spoke with bated
breath, as if a death had taken place in the house. Ameres and Chebron
were both anxious and disturbed, knowing that the excitement would
grow every hour; while Amuba and Jethro, joining busily in the search
and starting on horseback the first thing in the morning to make
inquiries in more distant localities, were secretly amused at the fuss
and excitement which was being made over the loss of a cat.

It was well for the household of Ameres that he occupied so exalted a
position in the priesthood. Had he been a private citizen, the
excitement, which increased hour by hour when the vigilant search
carried on far and wide for the missing cat proved fruitless, would
speedily have le