e _tallith_."

"Put it in the hand of the Wise Man."

Drawing himself into a sitting position, the Hindoo took the _tallith_,
pressed it into the palm of his hand and sat for a short time without
speaking.

"Her hair was abundant and dark," he presently said, speaking more to
himself than to Jael. "Her face was ruddy and her eyes were bright
like sunshine dancing on quick waters. She was supple of body and
worked among fish-nets. Overcome in a great struggle she was borne
away and made unclean of body and hopeless at heart. She wandered
about, an outcast, in the land of her fathers until at last she crept
away to die."

A curse broke from the lips of Jael and his hand moved quickly toward
his belt as he exclaimed, "When I find him--! But first I must find
her. Where is Sara now?"

"Even now doth she lie in a bed of rushes which the waves of Jordan
have washed against a bleaching sycamore. Here, while she waiteth
death, the serpent that hath wrought her downfall doth circle her
though she knoweth it not."

"God of my fathers!" Jael groaned.

"What is thy request, Jael?" Jesus asked.

"That Sara be made clean and given again to Jael."

"Dost thou know what thou asketh? From thee the woman hath been taken
by the serpent. If thou wouldst possess her, to the place of the
serpent must thou go and conquer him. Then shall the woman be free and
with the freedom of the woman shall come thy victory. Wouldst thou go?"

"Yea, yea! Direct my pathway."

"Hear then the words of the Wise Man of the East."

"Lift thine eyes to the heavens," the Hindoo said. "Seest thou Seven
Stars where they shine in their constellation?"

"Nay. But six I see."

"Look again."

"My eyes behold six."

"Thou must see seven."

After keeping his face to the sky some minutes Jael exclaimed, "Another
shineth afar. This is seven."

"The way thou takest will lead thee from the place of Seven Stars to
the place of the serpent. Look thou well into the eyes of the stars.
And when thou dost look into the snake's eyes that ever glitter,
remember that all light be one light though according to its use it
hath contrary powers."

He held the little _tallith_ against his forehead for a moment with
upturned face and said, "Thou wilt start thy journey under seven stars.
When they fade from the heavens stop by the roadside and take thy rest
in sleep. Thou wilt be awakened by the flutter of wings and on opening
thy eyes will see six