in the
grave? It is a little thing we ask of you--to help two innocent people
to escape from this accursed city. Will you grant it? Or shall I put
this dagger through your throat? Answer, and at once, or I strike and
bury you in your own corn."

Even in that light Amram turned visibly paler. "I accept your terms,"
he said. "At nightfall I will conduct you to the ship, which sails two
hours after sunset with the evening wind. I will accompany you to Tyre
and deliver the lady over to her father, trusting to his liberality for
my reward. Meanwhile, this place is hot. That ladder leads to the roof,
which is parapeted, so that those sitting or even standing there, cannot
be seen. Shall we ascend?"

"If you go first; and remember, should you attempt to call out, my knife
is always ready."

"Of that I am quite aware--you have said so several times. I have passed
my words, and I do not go back upon my bargains. The stars are with you,
and, come what may, I obey them."

Accordingly they ascended to the roof, Amram going first, Nehushta
following him, and Rachel bringing up the rear. On it, projecting inward
from the parapet, was a sloping shelter once made use of by the look-out
sentry in bad or hot weather. The change from the stifling store below
with its stench of ill-cured hides, to this lofty, shaded spot, where
the air moved freely, was so pleasant to Rachel, outworn as she was with
all she had gone through, that presently she fell asleep, not to wake
again till evening. Nehushta, however, who did not go to sleep, and
Amram, employed themselves in watching the events that passed in the
city below. From this height they could see the great square surrounding
the palace, and the strange scenes being enacted therein. It was crowded
by thousands of people, for the most part seated on the ground, clad in
garments of sack-cloth and throwing dust upon the heads of themselves,
their wives and children. From all this multitude a voice of
supplication rose to heaven, which, even at that distance, reached the
ears of Nehushta and her companion in a murmur of sound, constant and
confused.

"They pray that the king may live," said Amram.

"And I pray that he may die," answered Nehushta.

The merchant shrugged his shoulders. "I care nothing either way,
provided that the peace is not disturbed to the injury of trade. On the
whole, however, he is a good king who causes money to be spent, which is
what kings are for--in Judaea--w