“Would your Highness wish me to tell you anything of what is written upon the tablets of this scribe’s memory as well as upon those of wax which he holds in his hand?  They are easier to decipher than the others and I see on them many things of interest.  For instance, secret words that seem to have been said to him by some Great One within an hour, matters of high policy, I think.  For instance, a certain saying, I think of your Highness’s, as to shivering upon the edge of water on a cold day, which when entered produced heat, and the answer thereto.  For instance, words that were spoken in this palace when an alabaster cup was broke.  By the way, Scribe, that was a very good place you chose in which to hide one half of the cup in the false bottom of a chest in your chamber, a chest that is fastened with a cord and sealed with a scarab of the time of the second Rameses.  I think that the other half of the cup is somewhat nearer at hand,” and turning, he stared at the wall where I could see nothing save slabs of alabaster.

Now I sat open-mouthed, for how could this man know these things, and the Prince laughed outright, saying: 

“Ana, I begin to think you keep your counsel ill.  At least I should think so, were it not that you have had no time to tell what the Princess yonder may have said to you, and can scarcely know the trick of the sliding panel in that wall which I have never shown to you.”

Ki chuckled again and a smile grew on old Bakenkhonsu’s broad and wrinkled face.

“O Prince,” I began, “I swear to you that never has one word passed my lips of aught——­”

“I know it, friend,” broke in the Prince, “but it seems there are some who do not wait for words but can read the Book of Thought.  Therefore it is not well to meet them too often, since all have thoughts that should be known only to them and God.  Magician, what is your business with me?  Speak on as though we were alone.”

“This, Prince.  You go upon a journey among the Hebrews, as all have heard.  Now, Bakenkhonsu and I, also two seers of my College, seeing that we all love you and that your welfare is much to Egypt, have separately sought out the future as regards the issue of this journey.  Although what we have learned differs in some matters, on others it is the same.  Therefore we thought it our duty to tell you what we have learned.”

“Say on, Kherheb.”

“First, then, that your Highness’s life will be in danger.”

“Life is always in danger, Ki.  Shall I lose it?  If so, do not fear to tell me.”

“We do not know, but we think not, because of the rest that is revealed to us.  We learn that it is not your body only that will be in danger.  Upon this journey you will see a woman whom you will come to love.  This woman will, we think, bring you much sorrow and also much joy.”

“Then perhaps the journey is worth making, Ki, since many travel far before they find aught they can love.  Tell me, have I met this woman?”