Warren sheaf., 1906-01-11

his hands It would redeem Egypt. I
know it There, it is done. Ny life Is
In thy hands,"
| The prince looked at her with wide
eyes. his cheeks flushed, his lips 81
lent. -
'Wouldst thou have proof?' she con-
tdnued recklessly. "Seek out Hotep,
who hath been keeper Of the records
at Pithom, and ask him.
did ne tell thee?" Seti demanded.
NAY, learned it from another
source, not In the palace" The prince
| lapsed into silence, his eyes averted.
Ta-user regarded him intently. Sud-
| denly he raised his head.
''Dost thou know the amount of his
share" he asked.
ut is but moderate part of the
queens fortune. since each of the kings
children by his many women was in
cluded.'
"He shall have it," Seti said almost
impatlently. 'Out Of mine own wealth
he shall have it, not as a bribe-he
would not have it so-but because it IS
! his"
She caught his hands to her breast
and cried out in delight.
"And shall be thy lieutenant, and
none shall know of it save thee and
me-"
'Nay, there is danger In this" he
said gently. "and I would not imperil
thee. Already thou hast oventeppnd
safety for Egypts sake and mine.
More than this will not let thee do"
She pouted and, putting him away
from her. arose and left him. He fol-
| lowed her and took her hands.
"A confederate thou must have" she
complained, ''and whom dost thou
trust more than Ta-userY'
Thou dost hurry me In my plan max
Ing" he demonstrated mildly. "Mayhap
shall choose Hotep."
She flung up her head, her face the
picture Of dismay.
NAY, nay, not Hotep! OF all thy
world not Hotep" she exclaimed.
he lifted his brows In amazement.
"Surely thou dost not question his
ddelity-his power?'
NAY, but dost thou not guess what
he will dor Thou child! Abet thee!
Nay, he would set his foot upon thy
plan and foil thee at once with his
polite hand"
''Hotep will obey as command, that
thou knowest," he said. with dignity.
''Thou. wilt not reach the point Of
command with him." she vehemently
Insisted. HE would catch thine intent
ere thou hadst stated it and would
make thee aghast at thyself in a twin
king by his smooth reasoning and
vivid auguries. Nay, If thou art to
have thy way in this, wash my hands
Of 1t. We are as good as undone."
She turned away from him, but he
followed her contritely.
II submit" he said helplessly. "Ad-
wise me. but may, ask me not to en-
danger thee, Ta-user."
She slipped her arm about his neck
and pressed close to him.
! NAY. Seti thou dost overestimate
the peril. The Hebrew will not betray
us, and who else. will know of it? l
shall make a journey into Goshen,
find Moses and bid him meet thee at
certain place. There thou shalt
come at certain time with the treas
ure, and the feat is done. But If we
faiP'-she flung her head back and be.
w1tched him with heavy eye-"will II
be hard for me to persuade the king?''
Seti contemplated her with bewilder.
ment in his face. The youth and in.
nocence In his young soul revolted, but
there was another element that yield.
ed and was pleased.
Have it thy way, Ta-user," he said,
with hesitation in his words, while he
continued to gaze helplessly into her
compelling eyes.
She laughed and kissed him. II will
see thee again soon." Putting him back
from her, she descended the stairway.
Straight through the corridors to
ward the royal apartments she went
There was an elasticity in her step that
spoke of exultation.
The Hathors were indulging her be
yond reason.
A soldier Of the royal guard paced
outside the doorway Of the kings
apartments. Ta-user flung him smile
and, passing him without a word OF
leave asking, smiled again and disap
peared through the door.
Meneptah, who sat alone, raised bis
head from the scroll he was laborious
ly spelling. If he had meant to resent
the intrusion the impulse died within
him at the charming obeisance the prin
cess made. ,~,
AS she arose at his sign Har-hat en-
tered. Ta-user came near to the king
smiling trlumphantly at the fan bear.
er. .E- >.. ......
! ''The gods sped my feet" she said
"and I am here first. Hold thy peace
noble Har-hat. Mine is the first au
dience.'' .s@
Having reached the kings side, she
dropped on her knees and folded bel
hands on the arm Of his chair.
"a boon, o shedder Of light! St
much thou owest me. Behold, I cam.