Kohath led him forward, to free him from the throng, I thought, till they came to the head of the little temple that was marked by some steps, above which hung a thick and heavy curtain.

The Prince, walking on, did not see the lowest of these steps in the gloom, which was deep.

His foot caught on it; he fell forward, and to save himself grasped at the curtain where the two halves of it met, and dragged it open, revealing a chamber plain and small beyond, in which was an altar.

That was all I had time to see, for next instant a roar of rage rent the air and knives flashed in the gloom.
"The Egyptian defiles the tabernacle!" shouted one.

"Drag him out and kill him!" screamed another.
"Friends," said Seti, turning as they surged towards him, "if I have done aught wrong it was by chance----" He could add no more, seeing that they were on him, or rather on me who had leapt in front of him.