“That is well argued, Userti, and if it be so, mayhap my mind will become as yours in this matter, so that I shall no longer stand between Pharaoh and his desire.  But is it so?  There’s the problem.  I will not ask you why you say that the gods of the Egyptians are the true gods, because I know what you would answer, or rather that you could give no answer.  But I will ask this lady whether her god is a false god, and if she replies that he is not, I will ask her to prove this to me if she can.  If she is able to prove it, then I think that what I said to Pharaoh to-day I shall repeat three days hence.  If she is not able to prove it, then I shall consider very earnestly of the matter.  Answer now, Moon of Israel, remembering that many thousands of lives may hang on what you say.”

“O your Highness,” began Merapi.  Then she paused, clasped her hands and looked upwards.  I think that she was praying, for her lips moved.  As she stood thus I saw, and I think Seti saw also, a very wonderful light grow on her face and gather in her eyes, a kind of divine fire of inspiration and resolve.

“How can I, a poor Hebrew maiden, prove to your Highness that my God is the true God and that the gods of Egypt are false gods?  I know not, and yet, is there any one god among all the many whom you worship, whom you are prepared to set up against him?”

“Of a surety, Israelite,” answered Userti.  “There is Amon-Ra, Father of the gods, of whom all other gods have their being, and from whom they draw their strength.  Yonder his statue sits in the sanctuary of his ancient temple.  Let your god stir him from his place!  But what will you bring forward against the majesty of Amon-Ra?”

“My God has no statues, Princess, and his place is in the hearts of men, or so I have been taught by his prophets.  I have nothing to bring forward in this war save that which must be offered in all wars—­my life.”

“What do you mean?” asked Seti, astounded.

“I mean that I, unfriended and alone, will enter the presence of Amon-Ra in his chosen sanctuary, and in the name of my God will challenge him to kill me, if he can.”

We stared at her, and Userti exclaimed: 

“If he can!  Hearken now to this blasphemer, and do you, Seti, accept her challenge as hereditary high-priest of the god Amon?  Let her life pay forfeit for her sacrilege.”

“And if the great god Amon cannot, or does not deign to kill you, Lady, how will that prove that your god is greater than he?” asked the Prince.  “Perhaps he might smile and in his pity, let the insult pass, as your god did by me.”

“Thus it shall be proved, your Highness.  If naught happens to me, or if I am protected from anything that does happen, then I will dare to call upon my god to work a sign and a wonder, and to humble Amon-Ra before your eyes.”

“And if your god should also smile and let the matter pass, Lady, as he did by me the other day when his priests called upon him, what shall we have learned as to his strength, or as to that of Amon-Ra?”