ld fringe."

"Now, most worthy men," said the chief of police, "be pleased to come
with me to the prison. There we shall see one more witness."

They went to a subterranean hall, where under a window stood a great
cage covered with linen. The chief threw back the linen with his stick,
and those present saw a woman lying in a corner.

"But this is the Lady Kama!" cried the nomarch.

It was indeed Kama, sick and changed very greatly. When she rose at
sight of the dignitaries, and appeared in the light, those present saw
that her face had bronze-colored spots on it. Her eyes seemed
wandering.

"Kama," said the chief, "the goddess Astaroth has touched thee with
leprosy."

"It was not the goddess!" said she, with a changed voice. "It was the
low Asiatics, who threw in a tainted veil to me. Oh, I am unfortunate!"

"Kama," continued the chief, "our most famous high priests, Sem and
Mefres, have taken compassion on thee. If Thou wilt tell the truth,
they will pray for thee, and perhaps the all-mighty Osiris will turn
from thee misfortune. There is still time, the disease is only
beginning, and our gods have great power."

The sick woman fell on her knees, and pressing her face against the
grating, said in a broken voice,

"Have compassion on me! I have renounced Phoenician gods, and to the
end of life will serve the gods of Egypt. Only avert from me."

"Answer, but answer truly," said the chief, "and the gods will not
refuse thee their favor. Who killed the child of the Jewess Sarah?"

"The traitor, Lykon, the Greek. He was a singer in our temple, and said
that he loved me. But he has rejected me, the infamous traitor, and
seized my jewels."

"Why did Lykon kill the child?"

"He wanted to kill the prince, but not finding him in the palace, he
ran to Sarah's villa."

"How did the criminal enter a house that was guarded?"

"Dost Thou not know that Lykon resembles the prince? They are as much
alike as two leaves of one palm-tree."

"How was Lykon dressed that night?"

"He wore a jacket in yellow and black stripes, a cap of the same
material, and a red and blue apron. Do not torment me; return me my
health! Be compassionate! I will be faithful to your gods! Are ye going
already? Oh, hard-hearted!"

"Poor woman," said the high priest Sem, "I will send to thee a mighty
worker of miracles; he may."

"May ye be blessed by Astaroth! No, may your almighty and compassionate
gods bless you," whispered Kama, in drea