have the secret of its opening. My lord comes here, therefore, by
the secret way, and as one of the Seven. I am my lord's servant."

"Then I ask this small service of you. Tell me, what stirs
the city?"

"That impious Phorenice has declared herself Goddess, and
declares that she will light the sacrifice with her own divine
fire. She will do it, too. She does everything. But I wish the
flames may burn her when she calls them down. This new Empress is
the bane of our Clan, Deucalion, these latter days. The people
neglect us; they bring no offerings; and now, since these rebels
have been hammering at the walls, I might have gone hungry if I had
not some small store of my own. Oh, I tell you, the cult of the
true Gods is well-nigh oozed quite out of the land."

"My brother, it comes to my mind that the Priests of our Clan
have been limp in their service to let these things come to pass."

"I suppose we have done our best. At least, we did as we were
taught. But if the people will not come to hear your exhortations,
and neglect to adore the God, what hold have you over their
religion? But I tell you, Deucalion, that the High Gods try our
own faith hard. Come into the dwelling here. Look there on my
bed."

I saw the shape of a man, untidily swathed in reddened
bandages.

"This is all that is left of the poor priest that was my