THE COMING OF THE KA Now it was morning, and while the physicians embalmed the body of Pharaoh as best they could, Tua consulted with her officers.

Long and earnest was that council, for all of them felt that their danger was very great.

Abi had escaped, and if he were re-taken, none knew better than he that his death and that of all his House would be the reward of his crimes and sorceries which could only be covered up in one way--by marriage with the Queen of Egypt.

Moreover, he had thousands of soldiers in the city and around it, all of them sworn to his service, whereas the royal guard was but five companies, each of a hundred men, trapped in a snare of streets and stone.
One of them suggested that they should break a way through the wall of the temple, and escape to the royal barges that lay moored on the Nile beneath them, and this plan was approved.

But when they went to set about the work it was seen that these barges had been seized and were already sailing away up the river.