he re-fastened very neatly for one who seemed to be almost blind, and
strode off swiftly towards the town.

"Man or spirit, I wonder if we shall see him again?" said Asti.

Tua made no answer--she was too tired, but resting herself against the
bole of a tree, fell into a doze. When she awoke again it was to see
that the sun had sunk, and that before her stood the beggar Kepher, and
with him two black men, each of whom led a saddled mule.

"Mount, Friends," he said, "for I have found you a lodging."

So they mounted, and were led to the gate of the city which at the word
of Kepher was opened for them, and thence down a long street to a house
built in a walled garden. Into this house they entered, the black men
leading off the mules, to find that it was a well-furnished place with a
table ready set in the ante-room, on which was food in plenty. They ate
of it, all three of them, and when they had finished Kepher bade a woman
who was waiting on them, lead them to their chamber, saying that he
himself would sleep in the garden.

Thither then they went without more questions, and throwing themselves
down upon beds which were prepared for them, were soon fast asleep.

CHAPTER XV

TUA AND THE KING OF TAT

In the morning, after Tua and Asti had put on the clean robes that lay
to their hands, and eaten, suddenly they looked up and perceived that
Kepher, the ancient beggar of the desert, was in the room with them,
though neither of them had heard or seen him enter.

"You come silently, Friend," said Asti, looking at him with a curious
eye. "A Double could not move with less noise, and--where is your
shadow?" she added, staring first at the sun without, and then at the
floor upon which he stood.

"I forgot it," he answered in his deep voice. "One so poor as I am
cannot always afford a shadow. But look, there it is now. And for the
rest, what do you know of Doubles which those who are uninstructed
cannot discern? Now I have heard of a Lady in Egypt who by some chance
bore your name, and who has the power, not only to see the Double, but
to draw it forth from the body of the living, and furnish it with every
semblance of mortal life. Also I have heard that she who reigns in Egypt
to-day has such a Ka or Double that can take her place, and none know
the difference, save that this Ka, which Amen gave her at her birth,
works the vengeance of the gods without pity or remorse. Tell me, Friend
Asti, when you were a slave-