and the husband of Jochebed. Miriam, and Aaron are the children
hitherto born to me; one unborn I still await. Now I go back to my
work; show me the way!"

Phater went in front, but led Amram by another way than that by
which he had come. As they passed by an open door, which led into a
large hall lined with bookcases, Amram stopped, full of curiosity,
and wished to enter, in order to look at the numerous books. But
Phater held him back by his garment, "Don't go in," he said; "the
place is full of traps and snares. The guardian of the library sits
concealed in the middle of the hall, and guards his treasures
jealously. He has had the floor made of dried willow-withes, which
creak when they are trodden upon. He hears anyone stealing in,
and he hears if a scribe touches the forbidden books. He has heard
us, and he is feeling after us! Don't you feel as if cold
snake-tongues were touching your cheeks, your forehead, your
eyelids?"

"Yes, I do."

"It is he, stretching out the fingers of his soul, as we stretch out
an arm. But now I cut off the feeler which wants to examine us."

He took out a knife, and made a cut through the air in front of
them.

Amram felt a sudden glow, and at the same moment saw a great adder
writhing on the ground in its death-struggle.

"You practise magic arts here?" he said.