ABI LEARNS THE TRUTH A moon had gone by, and on the first day of the new month Kaku the Vizier sat in the Hall of the Great Officers at Memphis, checking the public accounts of the city.

It was not easy work, for during the past ten days twice these accounts had been sent back to him by the command of the Queen, or the Pharaoh as she called herself, with requests for information as to their items, and other awkward queries.

Abi had overlooked such matters, recognising that a faithful servant was worthy of his hire--provided that he paid himself.

But now it seemed that things were different, and that the amount received was the exact amount that had to be handed over to the Crown, neither more nor less.

Well, there was a large discrepancy which must be made up from somewhere, or, in other words, from Kaku's private store.
In a rage he caused the two head collectors of taxes to be brought before him, and as they would not pay, bade the executioners throw them down and beat them on the feet until they promised to produce the missing sums, most of which he himself had stolen.
Then, somewhat soothed, he retired from the hall into his own office, to find himself face to face with Abi, who was waiting for him.