"It is the Wizards--the Wizards of the Apura," men cried, and shrunk
this way and that, thinking no more on war.

The ancient men drew nigh. They took no heed of the dying or the dead:
on they walked, through blood and wine and fallen tables and scattered
arms, till they stood before the Pharaoh.

"_Pharaoh! Pharaoh! Pharaoh!_" they cried again. "Dead are the
first-born of Khem at the hand of Jahveh. Wilt thou let the people go?"

Then Pharaoh lifted his face and cried:

"Get you gone--you and all that is yours. Get you gone swiftly, and let
Khem see your face no more."

The people heard, and the living left the hall, and silence fell on the
city, and on the dead who died of the sword, and the dead who died
of the pestilence. Silence fell, and sleep, and the Gods' best
gift--forgetfulness.



III

THE BATHS OF BRONZE

Even out of this night of dread the morning rose, and with it came Rei,
bearing a message from the King. But he did not find the Wanderer in
his chamber. The Palace eunuchs said that he had risen and had asked for