driven him mad with a
poisonous drink which took away his judgment, unchained all the evil in
his heart, and caused him by its baneful influence to shrink unnaturally
from her whose love he still desired.

Also it set out that the heaviest of his crimes were inspired by this
wife of his, who sought to befoul his name in the ears of the people
whom she led him to oppress, and how bitter jealousy drove him to cruel
acts, the last and worst of which caused him foully to violate the law
of hospitality, and in attempting to bring about the death of blameless
guests at their hands to find his own.

Thus the Defender read, and having read, closed the book and threw it
on the ground, saying--"Such is the record, O Mother, sum it up as thou
hast been given wisdom."

Then the Khania, who all this time had stood cold and impassive, stepped
forward to speak, and with her her uncle, the Shaman Simbri. But before
a word passed Atene's lips the Hesea raised her sceptre and forbade
them, saying--"Thy day of trial is not yet, nor have we aught to do with
thee. When thou liest where he lies and the books of thy deeds are read
aloud to her who sits in judgment, then let thine advocate make answer
for these things."

"So be it," answered Atene haughtily and fell back.

Now it was the turn of the high-priest Oros. "Mother," he said, "thou
hast heard. Balance the writings, assess the truth, and according to thy
wisdom, issue thy commands. Shall we hurl him who was Rassen feet first
into the fiery gulf, that he may walk again in the paths of life, or
head first, in token that he is dead indeed?"

Then while all waited in a hushed expectancy, the great Priestess
delivered her verdict.

"I hear, I balance, I assess, but judge I do not, who claim no such
power. Let the Spirit who sent him forth, to whom he is returned again,
pass judgment on his spirit. This dead one has sinned deeply, yet has
he been more deeply sinned against. Nor against that man can be reckoned
the account of his deeds of madness. Cast him then to his grave feet
first that his name may be whitened in the ears of those unborn, and
that thence he may return again at the time appointed. It is spoken."

Now the Accuser lifted the book of his accusations from the ground and,
advancing, hurled it into the gulf in token that it was blotted out.
Then he turned and vanished from the chamber; while the Advocate, taking
up his book, gave it into the keeping of the priest Oros