"I am sure I do not know," answered Merytra. "I think that strong, red
wine of yours was doctored and has got into my head. But, come, we have
sworn this oath, which I dare say will work in more ways than we guess,
for such accursed swords have two edges to them. Now out with the plot,
and throw a cloth over that crystal for I want to see no more pictures."

"It seems a pity since you have such a gift of vision," replied Kaku in
the same dubious voice. Yet he obeyed, tying up the shining ball in a
piece of mummy wrapping which he used in his spells.

"Now," he said, "I will be brief. My fat master, Abi, means to be
Pharaoh of Egypt, and it seems that the best way to do so is by climbing
into his niece's throne, where most men would like to sit."

"You mean by marrying her, Kaku."

"Of course. What else? He who marries the Queen, rules in right of the
Queen."

"Indeed. Do you know anything of Neter-Tua?"

"As much as any other man knows; but what do you mean?"

"I mean that I shall be sorry for the husband who marries her against
her will, however beautiful and high-placed she may be. I tell you that
woman is a flame. She has more strength in her than all the magicians
in Egypt, yourself among them. They say she is a daughter of Amen, and I
believe it. I believe that the god dwells in her, and woe be to him whom
she may chance to hate, if he comes to her as a husband."