The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-04-17
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER Ill
THE MESSENGER.
4TlHE next day Mentu was bend
ing over fresh sheets Of papy-
rus, and when his son entered
and stood beside lin he raised
mis- head defdntly.
81 have another royal obelisk to deco
rate he said, fixing the young man
with steady eye, 'tof surety--with-
cut doubt -inevitab bly-for the thing is
all but ready to be set up at On"
Before Kenkenes could ask for en-
Hghtenment a female slave bowed in
the doorway.
The Lady Senci sends thee greeting
and would speak with thee. She is at
the outer portal in her curricle," she
said, addressing Mentu.
The great man sprang to bis feet,
glanced hurriedly at his ink stained
fingers. at his robe, and then fed across
she court into the door he had entered
60 change his dress the day before.
Kenkenes smiled, for Mentu had beer
a widower these ten Nile foods.
The slave still fingered.
..Also is there a messenger Tor mee,
master . she said, bowing again.
1.So2 Let him enter
The man whom the slave ushered in
"a few minutes later Was cid, spare and
bent, but he was alert and restless.
& His eyes were brilliant and over them
arched eyebrows that were almost
white. He made jerky obeisance.
Greeting, son of Mentu. Dost thou
renenlber me:''
The young man looked at his visitor
for moment
81 remember" he said at last. Thou
art Ranas, courier to Snofru priest Of
on
mine errand is urgent. I am come
from Asar-Nlut to thee. He bids thee
prepare for a journey before present
ing thyself to him."
.saiine uncle is gracious. Salute him
Cor me and ted him I obey
The old man withdrew.
When Kenkenes crossed the court
little line later, he met his father.
4uThe Lady Senci brings me news
4hat makes me epvious," Mentu began
st once, "and shames ,ae because OF
4hee!!'
Kenkenes lifted an expressive brow
at this unexpected onslaught "Nay,
-xaow, what have / done?"
Nothing Mentu asserted emphat-
zcaIly. "and for that reason am I
wroth. The Lady senci's nephew, Ho-
tep, is the new chief Of the royal
scribes-''
q call that good tidings," Kenkenes
replied. cheerful note in his voice,
sand worth greeting with health to
Hotep."
The artist regarded his son seornfully
for moment.
AT have this moment been summoned
Ey my holy uncle, Asar-Mut, to go on
a journey, and know not when re-
sun," said Kenkenes-
sHunph!r the elder sculptor re-
marked. "Asar-Mut has hngly tastes.
The couriers of priests are. not usually
OF the nobility. But get thee gone"
The pair separated, and the young
man passed into the house.
When, half an hour later, Kenkenes
entered a cross avenue leading to
great square in which the temple stood,
ne found the roadway filed with
people, crowding about a group Of di-
:sheyeled women. These were shrieking,
wildly tearing their hair, beating them
selves and throwing dust upon their
heads. Kenkenes Immediately sur
missed that there was something more
than the usual death wall in this.
He touched nan near him on the
shoulder.
4eWho may these distracted women
Be-" he asked.
1.-The mothers Of Khafra and Sigur
and their women"
NAY. Are these men dead? knew
Them once"
3sThey are by this time. They were
so be hanged in the dungeon Of the
ho0se OF the governor of police at this
hour" the man answered, with NOR
bid relish in his tone. Kenkenes look
ed at him in horror.
What had they done" he asked.
the man plunged eagerly into TIE mar
rative.
They We're tomb robbers and robbed
independently Of the brotherhood Of
thieves. They refused to pay the Gus
tomary tribute from their spoil to the
chief Of robbers, and whatsoever booty
! go
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