Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-03
~ EuzABETH MILLER


found his lamp and lighted 1t with trem-
bling hands.
He held the lapis-lazuli signet!
He did not move. He only grasped the
change from intense suspense to intense re-
lief had deprived him of the power OF ex-
preston. Only his physical makeup mani
tested it's rebellion against the shock.
He examined the scarab. The cord by
which 1t had been suspended passed through
small gold ring between the claws OF the
beetle. This had worn very thin and some
slight wrench had broken it.
Abr he exclaimed aloud. 1T is even as
had thought. But let me not seem to boast
when tell my father Oft. 1t will be VIC
and abashment enough for him to know
he was wrong"
He ceased to speak. but the echoes talked
on after him. He shivered. caught up his
light and raced through the sumptuous
tomb into the world again.
1t was near dawn and the skies were pal
lid. He was hungry and weary, but most
impatient to be gone He would repair to
Thebes and break his fast Thereafter he
would procure the swiftest boat on the Nile
and take his rest while speeding toward
Memphis.
The inn Of the metropolis was like an I'M
mense dwelling except that the courts were
stable yards. The doors, opening off the
porch, were always open and a light burned
by night within the chamber. So long and
so murkily had it burnt that the chamber
Kenkenes entered was smoky and redolent
of it, Aside from high, bench-like table
running half the length of the rear wall,
there was nothing else in the room. Ken
kenes raped or. the table. In little time
an Egyptian emerged from under the coun-
ter on the other side. Understanding at
last that the guest wished to be fed, he
staggered sleepily through a door and,
presently reappearing, signed kenkenes 10
enter.
The room into which the young sculptor
was conducted was too large to be lighted
by the two lamps, hung from hooks, one at
each end of the chamber. Down either
side, hidden in the shadows, were long
benches. and from the huddled heap that
occupied the full length of each 1t was to be
surmised that men were sleeping on them.
Above them the Slated blinds had been
withdrawn from the small windows and the
morning breeze was blowing strongly
through the chamber. At the upper end
was another table, similar to the one in the
outer room, except for a napkin in the mid
die, with bottle of water set upon 1t. An
Egyptian woman. stood beside this table and
gave the young man wooden stool.
AS KenkeneS walked toward the seat
stronger blast of wind pulled out the light
above his head. The woman climbed up to
while she relighted it. The skirt of her
dress caught on the top of the stool she had
mounted and pulled it over on the wooden
floor with sharp sound.
One of the SleeperS stirred at the noise
and turned over. Presently he sat up.
Kenkenes righted the stool and sat down
on it, the light shining in his face. He saw
the guest in the shadow shake off the light
covering and walk swiftly through the door
into the outer chamber.
Meanwhile. the silent woman served her
guest with cold baked water fowl, endives,
cucumbers, wheat bread and grapes, and
weak white wine. Kenkenes ate deliber-
ately and consumed all that was set before
him. When he had made end he paid his
reckoning to the woman and returned into
the outer chamber.
ba hn fa1 NV
members of the city constabulary and a
Nubian in a striped tunic.
''Seize him. the Nubian cried Instantly
the four men flung themselves upon Ken
kenes and pinioned his arms.
Nay, by the gods" he exclaimed angriy.
What mean your
Farley not with him. the Nubian said
in excitement. Get him in bonds stronger
than the grip of hands. He is muscled like
a bull"
The young sculptor looked at the Nubian
He had seen him beforehand had unpleas-
ant dealings with him. And then he re-
membered suddenly and so fiercely that
his captors felt the sinews creep in his
arms.
Set spare thee and thine infamous mas
ter to mel he exclaimed violently.
The Nubian retreated a little, for Ken
kenes had strained toward him.
Get him into the four walls of a CELL"
the Nubian urged the guards. Il may not
lose him again, as value my head"
The guards started out of the doors and
Kenkenes went with them, unresisting,
but not passively.
The prison was a square building of
rough stone, flat-roofed, three stories in
height The red walls were broken at
regular intervals by crevices barred with
bronze. There was but one entrance
kenkenes was led through the doors,
down low-roofed, narrow, stone walled
corridor to the room of the governor of
police.
The governor of police was absent, but
his vice, who was jailer and scribe in one,
sat in chair behind the great table.
When the party entered he sat up undid
a new scroll, wetted the reed pen in the
pigment and was ready
kenkenes asked, Wherefore am
taken?"
For sacrilege and slave stealing" the
scribe replied, calmly.
AT the complaint of Har-hat bearer of
the kings FAM Kenkenes added.
Until such time stronger proof of
thy misdeeds may be brought against
thee the scribe continued
Even SO. In palmer words, I shall be
held till confess what he would have me
tell or until decay in this tomb Let me
give thee my word, 1 shall do neither
finland me. l shall not attempt to es-
cape"
(To be continued tomorrow 81