"You can devise a plot," said the old woman, "but you are feeble in the working out.

Is your plan a secret?
Have you clever assistants ?" "No one knows of it," replied the dwarf, "but Katuti, Paaker, and I; we three shall lay the brands to the spots we have fixed upon.

I am going to the rooms of Bent-Anat; Katuti, who can go in and out as she pleases, will set fire to the stairs, which lead to the upper story, and which fall by touching a spring; and Paaker to the king's apartments." "Good-good, it may succeed," gasped the old woman.

"But what was the scream in your tent ?" The dwarf seemed doubtful about answering; but Hekt went on: "Speak without fear--the dead are sure to be silent." The dwarf, trembling with agitation, shook off his hesitation, and said: "I have found Uarda, the grandchild of Pinem, who had disappeared, and I decoyed her here, for she and no other shall be my wife, if Ani is king, and if Katuti makes me rich and free.

She is in the service of the Princess Bent-Anat, and sleeps in her anteroom, and she must not be burnt with her mistress.