go?" asked Tutmosis.

"I wait here for Ramses," answered Herhor.

"Well, then, remain here, trickster!" cried Tutmosis.

He drew his sword and rushed at Herhor.

At that instant Eunana, who was standing behind the chief, raised an
axe and struck Tutmosis with all his might between the neck and the
right shoulder blade, so that the blood spurted in every direction. The
favorite of the pharaoh fell to the earth almost cut in two.

Some of the warriors with leveled spears rushed at Eunana, but they
fell after a brief struggle with their own comrades. Of the volunteers,
three-fourths were in the pay of the priesthood.

"May he live, his holiness Herhor, our lord!" cried Eunana, waving his
bloody axe.

"May he live through eternity!" repeated the warriors and priests, and
all fell on their faces.

The most worthy Herhor raised his hands and blessed them.

On leaving the court of the temple, Mefres went to the underground
chamber to Lykon. The high priest at the very threshold drew from his
bosom a crystal ball, at the sight of which the Greek fell into auger.

"Would that the earth swallowed you! Would that your corpses might know
no rest!" said Lykon, abusing him in a voice which grew lower and
lower.

At last he was silent and fell into a trance.

"Take this dagger," said Mefres, giving the Greek a slender steel
blade. "Take this dagger and go to the palace garden. Halt there at the
clump of fig trees and wait for him who deprived thee of Kama, and took
her away."

Lykon gritted his teeth in helpless rage.

"And when Thou seest him, wake," concluded Mefres.

He threw over the Greek an officer's mantle with a cowl, whispered the
password into his ear and led him forth to the empty streets of Memphis
through a secret door of the temple.

Then Mefres ran with the celerity of youth to the summit of the pylon,
and taking in his hand some banners, made signals toward the palace.
They saw and understood him, that was evident, for a bitter smile came
to the parchment like face of the high priest.

Mefres put down the banners, left the summit of the pylon and descended
slowly. When he reached the pavement he was surrounded by some men in
light brown tunics, which were covered by coats in white and black
stripes.

"Here is the most worthy Mefres," said one of them. And all three knelt
before the high priest, who raised his hand mechanically, as if to
bless them. But he dropped it suddenly, inquiring, "Who are