hful, as next in command, I confer the honor of
the position left vacant by Asru. Do thou carry out its obligations with
honor to thyself and to the prophet of Allah."

Uzza prostrated himself to the ground.

Mohammed turned to Yusuf. "Whom have we here? What said you in your
accusation, Abraham? An accomplice of Asru, was it?"

The little peddler, the silent watcher at the door, came forward,
hopping along as usual, but with malignant triumph in his face.

"This, O prophet," he said, making obeisance, "is not only an accomplice
of Asru, but a sworn enemy of the prophet of Allah and of all who
believe in him."

"Why, methinks I have seen him before," said Mohammed, passing his hand
over his brow. "Is not this the gentle friend of Amzi?"

"He is the friend of Amzi," returned the Jew, "but even Amzi lies in
chains as a spy among the Moslems."

"I had forgotten," said the prophet. "Yet what harm hath this gentle
Meccan done?"

"He is Yusuf, the Magian priest," said the Jew. "And believe, O prophet
of Allah, the Magians are your most bitter enemies."

Uzza started and leaned forward with intense interest. Yusuf felt his
burning gaze fixed on his face.

"What proof have you that this is a Magian priest?" asked the prophet,
wearily.

"See!" exclaimed the Jew.

He tore back the priest's garment, and there was the red mark of the
torch outlined distinctly against the white skin.

"Ha!" cried Uzza, starting forward, the veins of his forehead swelling
with excitement. "The very mark! The secret mark of the priests among
those who worship fire and the sun! This, O Mohammed, is not only a
priest, but a priest who has fed the temple fires, and as such has been
pledged to uphold the Guebre religion at whatever cost."

Yusuf said nothing.

"Can you not speak, Yusuf?" asked Mohammed. "Have you no word to say to
all this?"

"It is all true, O Mohammed," replied Yusuf, quietly. "It is true that
in my youthful days I was a priest at Guebre altars. Now, I am not Yusuf
the Magian priest, but Yusuf the Christian, and a humble follower of our
Most High God and his Son Jesus."

"Dare you thus proclaim yourself a Christian to my very face?" exclaimed
Mohammed. "Magian or Christian, ye are all alike enemies. Off with him!
Do with him as you will, Uzza,--yet," relenting, "I commend him to your
mercy." He turned abruptly and left the apartment.

Yusuf was immediately taken and thrown into a close, dark room. He was
still bo