h wealth more than he can
spend. But it is the Hebrew's, and if it were delivered into his hands
it would redeem Egypt. I know it. There, it is done. My life is in
thy hands."

The prince looked at her with wide eyes, his cheeks flushed, his lips
silent.

"Wouldst thou have proof?" she continued recklessly. "Seek out Hotep,
who hath been keeper of the records at Pithom and ask him."

"Did he tell thee?" Seti demanded.

"Nay; I learned it from another source, not in the palace." The prince
lapsed into silence, his eyes averted. Ta-user regarded him intently.
Suddenly he raised his head.

"Dost thou know the amount of his share?" he asked.

"It is but a moderate part of the queen's fortune, since each of the
king's children by his many women was included."

Seti winced, for there was something dimly offensive in the calm way
she stated the bald fact.

"It is not much, as princely dowers go," she added casually.

"He shall have it," Seti said almost impatiently. "Out of mine own
wealth he shall have it--not as a bribe--he would not have it so--but
because it is his."

She caught his hands to her breast and cried out in delight.

"And I shall be thy lieutenant, and none shall know of it, save thee
and me."

He smiled up at her.

"Nay, there is danger in this," he said gently, "and I would not
imperil thee. Already thou hast overstepped safety for Egypt's sake
and mine. More than this I will not let thee do."

An expression of panic swept over her face. He interpreted it as hurt.

"Thou hast been my guide for so long, Ta-user. Let me choose this once
for thee."

She pouted, and putting him away from her, arose and left him. He
followed her and took her hands.

"A confederate thou must have," she complained; "and whom dost thou
trust more than Ta-user?"

"It is not a matter of trust," he explained, "but of thine immunity
should the Hathors frown upon my plan."

"It matters not," she protested. "Whom wilt thou trust and imperil
instead of Ta-user?"

"Thou dost hurry me in my plan-making," he remonstrated mildly.
"Mayhap I shall choose Hotep."

She flung up her head, her face the picture of dismay.

"Nay, nay! not Hotep! Of all thy world, not Hotep!" she exclaimed.

He lifted his brows in amazement.

"Surely thou dost not question his fidelity--his power?"

"Nay! but dost thou not guess what he will do? Thou child! Abet thee!
Nay! he would set his foot upon thy plan and foil th