ot greatly pleased by this end of his explanation, the holy Mentezufis
took leave of the viceroy. After the priest had gone, Tutmosis entered.

"The Greeks are raising the pile for their chief," said he, "and a
number of Libyan women have agreed to wail at the funeral ceremony."

"We shall be present," answered Ramses. "Dost Thou know that my son is
killed? such a little child. When I carried him he laughed and held out
his little hands to me. What wickedness may be in the human heart is
beyond comprehension. If that vile Lykon had attempted my life I could
understand, even forgive him. But to slay a little child."

"But have they told thee of Sarah's devotion?" inquired Tutmosis.

"She was, as I think, the most faithful of women, and I did not treat
her justly. But how is it," cried the prince, striking his fist on the
table, "that they have not seized that wretch Lykon to this moment? The
Phoenicians swore to me, and I promised a reward to the chief of
police. There must be some secret in this matter."

Tutmosis approached the prince, and whispered,

"A messenger from Hiram has been with me. Hiram, fearing the anger of
the priests, is hiding before he leaves Egypt. Hiram has heard, from
the chief of police in PiBast perhaps, that Lykon was captured But
quiet!" added the frightened Tutmosis.

The prince fell into anger for a moment, but soon mastered himself.

"Captured?" repeated he. "Why should that be a secret?"

"It is, for the chief of police had to yield him up to the holy Mefres
at his command in the name of the supreme council."

"Aha! aha!" repeated the heir. "So the revered Mefres and the supreme
council need a man who resembles me so much? Aha! They are to give my
son and Sarah a beautiful funeral, and embalm their remains. But the
murderer they will secrete safely. Aha!

"And the holy Mentezufis is a great sage. He told me today all the
secrets of life beyond the grave; he explained to me the whole funeral
ritual, as if I were a priest at least of the third degree. But
touching the seizure of Lykon, the hiding of that murderer by Mefres,
not a word! Evidently the holy fathers are more occupied by minute
secrets of the heir to the throne than with the great secrets of future
existence. Aha!"

"It seems to me, lord, that Thou shouldst not wonder at that,"
interrupted Tutmosis. "Thou knowest that the priests suspect thee of
ill-will, and are on their guard. All the more."

"What, all the more?"