happened," replied the officer. "The son of
the erpatr is killed."

"What? Who?" cried the nomarch.

"The son of the Jewess Sarah."

"Who killed him? When?"

"Last night."

"But who could do this?"

The officer bent his head and spread his arms.

"I asked who killed him?" repeated the nomarch, more astonished than
angry.

"Be pleased, lord, thyself to investigate. My lips will not utter what
my ears have heard."

The astonishment of the nomarch increased. He gave command to lead in
Sarah's servants, and sent for Mefres, the high priest. Mentezufis, as
representative of the minister of war, had gone with the viceroy.

The astonished Mefres came. The nomarch told of the murder of the
child, and said that the police official dared not give explanations.

"But are there witnesses?" inquired the high priest.

"We are waiting for thy commands, holy father."

They brought in Sarah's doorkeeper.

"Hast Thou heard," inquired the nomarch, "that the child of thy
mistress is killed?"

The man fell to the pavement, and answered,

"I have even seen the worthy remains broken against the wall, and I
detained our lady when she ran out to the garden, screaming."

"When did this happen?"

"At midnight. Immediately after the most worthy heir came to our lady,"
answered the watch.

"How is this? Did the prince visit thy lady last night?" inquired
Mefres.

"Thou hast said it, great prophet."

"This is wonderful!" whispered Mefres to the nomarch.

The second witness was Sarah's cook, the third her waiting woman. Both
declared that after midnight the prince had entered Sarah's chamber,
stayed there awhile, then run out quickly to the garden, and soon after
him appeared Lady Sarah, screaming terribly.

"But the prince remained all night in his chamber; he did not leave the
palace," said the nomarch.

The police-officer shook his head, and declared that some of the palace
servants were waiting in the antechamber.

They were summoned. Mefres questioned them, and it appeared that the
heir had not slept in the palace. He had left his chamber before
midnight, and gone to the garden; he returned when the first trumpet
sounded.

When the witnesses had been led out, and the two dignitaries were
alone, the nomarch threw himself on the pavement, and declared to
Mefres that he was grievously ill, and would rather lose his life than
carry on investigations. The high priest was very pale and excited; but
he replied that