Stand forward, Merapi, daughter of Nathan." Then from the throng at the back of the hall came forward Merapi, clad in a white robe and with a black veil thrown about her head in token of mourning, but not so as to hide her face.

Up the hall she glided and made obeisance to Pharaoh, as she did so, casting one swift look at Seti where he sat.

Then she stood still, looking, as I thought, wonderfully beautiful in that simple robe of white and the evil of black.
"Speak, woman," said Pharaoh.
She obeyed, telling all the tale in her low and honeyed voice, nor did any seem to think it long or wearisome.

At length she ended, and Pharaoh said: "Say, Seti my son, is this truth ?" "It is truth, O my Father.

By virtue of my powers as Governor of this city I caused the captain Khuaka to be put to death for the crime of murder done by him before my eyes in the streets of the city." "Perchance you did right and perchance you did wrong, Son Seti.