Lady Merapi, at that moment, I, the Sacrificer to Amon, was filled--not with my own spirit, but with the angry spirit of the god whom you had humbled as never before had befallen him in Egypt.

The god through me demanded of you the secret of your magic, and promised you his hate, if you refused.

Lady, you have his hate, but mine you have not, since I also have his hate because I, and he through me, have been worsted by your prophets.

Lady, we are fellow-travellers in the Valley of Trouble." She gazed at him steadily, and I could see that of all that passed his lips she believed no one word.

Making no answer to him and his talk of Amon, she asked only: "Why do you come here to do me ill who have done you none ?" "You are mistaken, Lady," he replied.