to me. The rabble did it, and the rabble must give answer."

"No judge will say that," reflected Tutmosis. "But Thou art to be the
highest judge."

The prince became thoughtful. Tutmosis continued,

"Stop! what would the pharaoh our lord say to-morrow? And what delight
would reign among our foes in the east and the west, if they heard that
the heir to the throne, almost at the royal palace, was attacked in the
night by his own people?"

"Oh, if my father would give me even half the army, our enemies on all
sides of the world would be silent forever!" said the prince, stamping
on the pavement.

"Finally, remember that man who hanged himself; Thou wert sorry when an
innocent man lost his life. But today is it possible that Thou art
willing thyself to slay innocent people?"

"Enough!" interrupted Ramses, in a deep voice. "My anger is like a
water-jar. Woe to him on whom it falls! Let us enter."

The frightened Tutmosis drew back. The prince took Sarah by the hand
and went to the terrace. He seated her near the table on which was the
unfinished supper, and approaching the light drew the bandage from her
forehead.

"Ah!" cried he, "this is not even a wound, it is only a blue spot."

He looked at Sarah attentively.

"I never-thought," said he, "that Thou wouldst have a blue spot. This
changed thy face considerably."

"Then I please thee no longer?" whispered Sarah, raising on him great
eyes full of fear.

"Oh, no! this will pass quickly."

Then he called Tutmosis and the black, and commanded to tell him what
had happened that evening.

"He defended us," said Sarah. "He stood, with an axe, in the doorway."

"Didst Thou do that?" asked the prince, looking quickly into the eyes
of the Nubian.

"Was I to let strange people break into thy house, lord?"

Ramses patted him on the curly head.

"Thou hast acted," said he, "like a brave man. I give thee freedom.
Tomorrow Thou wilt receive a reward and mayst return to thy own
people."

The black tottered and rubbed his eyes, the whites of which were
shining. Suddenly he dropped on his knees, and cried as he struck the
floor with his forehead,

"Do not put me away, lord."

"Well," replied Ramses, "remain with me, but as a free warrior. I need
just such men," said he, turning to Tutmosis. "He cannot talk like the
overseer of the house of books, but he is ready for battle."

And again he inquired for details of the attack, when the Nubian told
how a priest ha