minded to tell thee a strange story and a true,
for this I see, that our will runs one way, and thou canst help me,
and, in helping me, thyself and Pharaoh to whom I swore an oath, and her
whose honour thou holdest dear. But this I warn thee, Rei, that if thou
dost betray me, not thine age, not thy office, nor the friendship thou
hast shown me, shall save thee."

"Speak on, Odysseus, Laertes' son, Odysseus of Ithaca," said Rei; "may
my life be forfeit if I betray thy counsel, if it harm not those I
serve."

Now the Wanderer started to his feet, crying:

"How knowest thou that name?"

"I know it," said Rei, "and I tell thee that I know it, thou most crafty
of men, to show this, that with me thy guile will not avail thee." For
he would not tell him that he had it from the lips of the Queen.

"Thou hast heard a name that had been in the mouths of many," said the
Wanderer; "perchance it is mine, perchance it is the name of another. It
matters not. Now know this: I fear this Queen of thine. Hither I came to
seek a woman, but the Queen I came not to seek. Yet I have not come in
vain, for yonder, Rei, yonder, in the Temple of the Hathor, I found
her on whose quest I came, and who awaited me there well guarded till I
should come to take her. On the morrow night I go forth to the temple,
and there, by the gates of the temple, I shall find her whom all men
desire, but who loves me alone among men, for so it has been fated of
the Gods. Thence I bring her hither that here we may be wed. Now this
is my mind: if thou wilt aid me with a ship and men, that at the first
light of dawn we should flee this land of thine, and that thou shouldest
keep my going secret for awhile till I have gained the sea. True it is
that I swore to guard the Queen till Pharaoh come again; but as thou
knowest, things are so that I can best guard her by my flight, and if
Pharaoh thinks ill of me--so it must be. Moreover I ask thee to meet
me by the pylon of the Temple of Hathor to-morrow at one hour before
midnight. There will we talk with her who is called the Hathor, and
prepare our flight, and thence thou shalt go to that ship which thou
hast made ready."

Now Rei thought for awhile and answered:

"Somewhat I fear to look upon this Goddess, yet I will dare it. Tell me,
then, how shall I know her at the temple's gate?"

"Thou shalt know her, Rei, by the red star which burns upon her breast.
But fear not, for I will be there. Say, wilt thou make the