vil intents against him, but there is
another--another!"

He came to the young man's side, saying in an excited whisper:

"There is another, I say, within the king's affections--a scorpion
cherished in his bosom!"

The old man's vehemence and his words fired Kenkenes. He arose and
faced Jambres with kindling eyes. The sorcerer went on with increasing
excitement.

"Better that his slaves depart increased, enriched threefold by Egypt,
better that never again one stone be laid upon another, nor monument
bear the king's name, than that Meneptah should leave the precincts of
shelter! For his enemy would lead him outside the pale of protection,
and there put him to death, and wear his crown after him!"

During this impetuous augury, the young man naturally searched after
the identity of the offender. Not Ta-user, nor Siptah, nor Amon-meses,
for the sorry tale of Seti and the outlawing of the trio had reached
him at Pa-Ramesu. Furthermore, they had never had a place in the
affections of the king. There was a new conspirator! At this point
the blood heated and went charging through the young man's veins.

"If the king's enemy be mine enemy," he declared passionately, "thou
hast this hour commissioned and armed that enemy's dearest foe! Name
him."

The priest shook his head. His excitement had not carried him beyond
the limits of caution.

"Save for my mystic knowledge, I have no proof against him, and if I
balk him not and offend him, he hath a heavy and a vengeful hand."

"And thou hast not named him in the writing?"

Again the priest shook his head.

"Then," said the young man firmly, "then will I name him to the
Pharaoh!"

Jambres looked at Kenkenes with profound admiration, not unmixed with
apprehension.

"Let not thy youthful zeal undo thee," he cautioned. "Perchance thou
dost mistake the man."

"The gods did not bestow all the art upon the mystics when they endowed
thee with divining powers. They gifted every man with a little of it,
and it speaketh no less truthfully because it is small. Come, thy
board has been generous and I am satisfied. I have another and a
fiercer hunger I would appease. Give me the message and let me be
gone."

Silent, the priest led the way again into the sanctuary. Taking the
scroll from its hiding-place once more he said, as he gave it into the
messenger's hands: "Go first to Tanis, and if thou findest not the king
in his capital, seek until thou dost find him