The Washington times., 1919-05-18
Continued from Page 8.

Now said nothing who saw that
the man was mad, but Bakenkhonsu
laughed out loud and answered.
20 Pharaoh, l know little, but l
know this, although be old, name
", that after men have ceased to
speak your name l shall still hold
converse with the wearer of the
double crown in Egypt Now will
you let these Hebrews go. or will
you bring death upon Egypt?"
Pharaoh glsred at him and an
swered, Il will not let them go
"Why not, Pharaoh? Tell me, for
]. am curious"
Because / cannot" he answered
with a groan. Because something
stronger than myself forces me to
deny their prayer. Begone!"
So we went, and this was the
last time that looked upon Amen
meses at Tanis.
As we left the chamber saw the
Hebrew prophet entering the pres
ence. Afterward a rumor reached
us that he had threatened to kill
all the people in Egypt, but that
still Pharaoh would not let the
Israelites depart. Indeed, it was
said that he had told the prophet
that II he appeared before him any
more he should be put to death.
Now we journeyed back to Mem
phis with all these tidings and
made report to Seti. When Merapi
oh ho1
weeping and wringing her hands. l
asked her what she feared. She
answered, death, which was near
to all of us. l said:
eff so, there are worse things,
lady"
For you mayhap, who are faith
full and good in your own fashion,
but not for me. Do you not under
stand, friend Ana, that l am one
who has broken the law of the God
/ was taught to Worship"
And which of US is there who
has not broken the law of the god
we were taught to worship, lady?
If in truth you have done anything
Of the sort by flying from a muir
derous villain to one who loves you
well, which l do not believe, surely
there is forgiveness for such sins
as this"
Aye. perhaps, but, alas! the
thing is blacker far. Have you for
gotten what l did? Dressed in the
robes Of Isis l worshipped in the
temple Of Isis with my boy playing
the part Of Horus on my bosom. 1t
is a crime that can never be for
given to a Hebrew woman, Ana,
for my God is a jealous God. Yet it
is true that XII tricked me-"
eff he had not, lady, / think there
would have been none of us left to
trick, seeing that the people were
crazed with dread Of the darkness
and believed that it could be lifted
by you alone, as indeed happened"
! added somewhat doubtfully.
more Of Ki's tricks! Oh! do you
not understand that the lifting Of
the darkness at that moment was
Ki's work, because he wished the
people to believe that l am indeed
a sorceress."
"Why?' / asked.
81 do not know. Perhaps that
one day he may find a victim to
bind TO the altar in his place. At
least / know well that it is l who
must pay the price, l and my flesh
and blood, whatever XII may prom
ise," and she looked at the sleep
ing child.
do not be afraid, lady," said.
Xxi has left the palace and you
will see him no more.
Yes, because the Prince was
angry with him about the trick in
the temple of Isis. Therefore sud
denly he went, or pretended to go,
for how can one tell where such a
man may really be? But he will
come back again. Bethink you, HI
was the greatest magician in
Egypt; even old Bakenkhonsu can
remember none like to him. Then
he matches himself against the
prophets of my people and fails"
But did he fail, lady? What
they did he did, sending among the
Israelites the plaques that your
prophets had sent among us"
Eyes. some of them, but he was
outpaced. or feared TO be outpaced
at last. Is XII a man to forget that?
And if XII chances really 10 believe
that | am his adversary and his
master at this black work, as be
cause of what happened in the
temple of Anon thousands believe
to-day, will he not mete me my
own measure soon or late? Oh! l
fear XII, Ana, and | fear the people
of Egypt, and were it not for my
lord beloved, l would fee away into
the wilderness with my son, and
get me out of this haunted land!
Hush! he wakes"
From this time forward until the
sword fell there was great dread in
Egypt. None seemed to know ex-
actly what they dreaded, but all
thought that it had to do with
death. People went about mourn
fully looking over their shoulders
as though some one were following
them, and at night they gathered
together in knots and talked in
whispers. Only the Hebrews
seemed to be glad and happy.
Moreover, they were making prep
arations for something new and
strange. Thus those Israelitish
women who dwelt in Memphis be-