s.
But of all that passed between them Merapi would tell me nothing. Nor
did I tell her of what I had overheard."

"And then?"

"And then, Ana, came the story of the Hebrew prophet who made the water
into blood, and of Ki and his disciples who did likewise. The latter
I did not believe, because I said it would be more reasonable had Ki
turned the blood back into water, instead of making more blood of which
there was enough already."

"I think that magicians have no reason."

"Or can do mischief only, Ana. At any rate after the story came the
blood itself and stayed with us seven whole days, leaving much sickness
behind it because of the stench of the rotting fish. Now for the
marvel--here about my house there was no blood, though above and below
the canal was full of it. The water remained as it has always been and
the fish swam in it as they have always done; also that of the well
kept sweet and pure. When this came to be known thousands crowded to the
place, clamouring for water; that is until they found that outside the
gates it grew red in their vessels, after which, although some still
came, they drank the water where they stood, which they must do
quickly."

"And what tale do they tell of this in Memphis, Prince?" I asked
astonished.

"Certain of them say that not Ki but I am the greatest magician in
Egypt--never, Ana, was fame more lightly earned. And certain say that
Merapi, of whose doings in the temple at Tanis some tale has reached
them, is the real magician, she being an Israelite of the tribe of the
Hebrew prophets. Hush! She returns."

CHAPTER XIV

KI COMES TO MEMPHIS

Now of all the terrors of which this turning of the water into blood was
the beginning in Egypt, I, Ana, the scribe, will not write, for if I did
so, never in my life-days should I, who am old, find time to finish the
story of them. Over a period of many, many moons they came, one by one,
till the land grew mad with want and woe. Always the tale was the same.
The Hebrew prophets would visit Pharaoh at Tanis and demand that
he should led their people go, threatening him with vengeance if he
refused. Yet he did refuse, for some madness had hold of him, or perhaps
the god of the Israelites laid an enchantment on him, why I know not.

Thus but a little while after the terror of blood came a plague of frogs
that filled Egypt from north to south, and when these were taken away
made the air to stink. This miracle Ki and his compan