reported to me. It has had just the opposite effect. At any rate,
an enemy is at work, and even were you to sacrifice yourself by
admitting that you slew the missing animal, not only would your death
be the result, but a general ruin would fall upon us.

"The mob would easily be taught to believe that I must to a great
extent be responsible; the opinions I have expressed would be quoted
against me, and even the favor of the king could not maintain me in my
present position in defiance of popular clamor. No, my son, we must
stand or fall together. Jethro offered yesterday if I liked to dig up
the remains of the cat, carry it away and hide it under some rocks at
a distance, but I think the danger would be greater than in allowing
matters to remain as they are. It is certain that the house is
watched. As you know, servants going in and out after nightfall have
been rudely hustled and thrown down. Some have been beaten, and
returned well-nigh stripped to the skin. I doubt not that these
attacks were made in order to discover if they had anything concealed
under their garments. Were Jethro to venture upon such an attempt he
might either be attacked and the cat found upon him, or he might be
followed and the place where he hid it marked down. Things must go on
as they are."

Ameres did not tell Chebron the whole of the conversation he had had
with Jethro. After declining his offer to endeavor to dispose of the
body of the cat elsewhere he said:

"But, Jethro, although I cannot accept this perilous enterprise you
have offered to undertake, I will intrust you with a charge that will
show you how I confide in your devotion to my family. Should this
storm burst, should the populace of this town once become thoroughly
imbued with the idea that the sacred cat has been slain here, there
will be an outburst of fanatical rage which will for the time carry
all before it.

"For myself I care absolutely nothing. I am perfectly willing to die
as soon as my time comes. I have done my work to the best of my power,
and can meet the Mighty One with uplifted head. I have wronged no man,
and have labored all my life for the good of the people. I have never
spared myself, and am ready for my rest; but I would fain save Chebron
and Mysa from harm. Even in their wrath the populace will not injure
the women, but Mysa without a protector might fall into evil hands. As
to her, however, I can do nothing; but Chebron I would save. If he
grows up