ht."

"What other could have shattered the strong and holy house where the
majesty of Amon dwells on earth? Not even those prophets of the Hebrews
as I think. What other could fence this garden round against the curses
that have fallen upon Egypt?" asked Ki earnestly, for now all his
mocking manner had departed.

"I do not think she does these things, Ki. I think some Power does
them through her, and I know that she dared to face Amon in his temple
because she was bidden so to do by the priests of her people."

"Prince," he answered with a short laugh, "a while ago I sent you a
message by Ana, which perhaps other thoughts may have driven from his
memory. It was as to the nature of that Power of which you speak. In
that message I said that you were wise, but now I perceive that you lack
wisdom like the rest of us, for if you had it, you would know that
the tool which carves is not the guiding hand, and the lightning which
smites is not the sending strength. So with this fair love of yours, and
so with me and all that work marvels. We do not the things we seem to
do, who are but the tool and the lightning. What I would know is who or
what guides her hand and gives her the might to shield or to destroy."

"The question is wide, Ki, or so it seems to me who, as you say, have
little wisdom, and whoever can answer it holds the key of knowledge.
Your magic is but a small thing which seems great because so few can
handle it. What miracle is it that makes the flower to grow, the child
to be born, the Nile to rise, and the sun and stars to shine in heaven?
What causes man to be half a beast and half a god and to grow downward
to the beast or upward to the god--or both? What is faith and what is
unbelief? Who made these things, through them to declare the purposes of
life, of death, and of eternity? You shake your head, you do not know;
how then can I know who, as you point out, am but foolish? Go get your
answer from the lady Merapi's self, only mayhap you will find your
questions countered."

"I'll take my chance. Thanks to Merapi's lord! A boon, O Prince, since
you will not suffer that other name which comes easiest to the lips of
one to whom the Present and the Future are sometimes much alike."

Seti looked at him keenly, and for the first time with a tinge of fear
in his eyes.

"Leave the Future to itself, Ki," he exclaimed. "Whatever may be the
mind of Egypt, just now I hold the Present enough for me," and he
glanced