sceptre, and they were still, only Abi cried in a great voice.

"Who has dared to whisper a lie so monstrous?" And he glared first at
Kaku and then at the captain of his guard who stood behind him, and
choked in wrath, or fear, or both.

"Suspect not your officers, Prince," went on the Pharaoh, still smiling,
"for on my royal word they are innocent. Yet, Abi, a pavilion set upon
the deck of a ship is no good place to plot the death of kings. Pharaoh
has many spies, also, at times, the gods, to whom as you say he is so
near, whisper tidings to him in his sleep. Suspect not your officers,
Abi, although I think that to yonder Master of the Stars who stands
behind you, I should be grateful, since, had you attempted to execute
this madness, but for him I might have been forced to kill you, Abi,
as one kills a snake that creeps beneath his mat. Astrologer, you shall
have a gift from me, for you are a wise man. It may take the place,
perhaps, of one that you have lost; was it not a certain woman slave
whom your master gave to you last night--after he had punished her for
no fault?"

Kaku prostrated himself before the glory of Pharaoh, understanding at
last that it was the lost girl Merytra who had overheard and betrayed
them. But heeding him no more, his Majesty went on.

"Abi, Prince and brother, I forgive you a deed that you purposed but
did not attempt. May the gods and the spirits of our fathers forgive
you also, if they will. Now as to your demand. You are my only living
brother, and therefore I will weigh it. Perchance, if I should die
without issue, although you are not all royal, although there flows in
your veins a blood that Egypt hates; although you could plot the murder