The question was delivered politely, but the old man thrust his curious face forward and shook his head with a combination of interrogation and dissent, which was highly insincere. "I have received naught which was not intended for me," the taskmaster replied warmly. After a moment's intent contemplation of Atsu's face the courier went on: "Nay, so had I thought. The messenger came to Snofru with all speed and out-stripped the courier bound for Pa-Ramesu. It is even as I had thought. He may arrive shortly, but I must tarry till he comes." Atsu assented bluntly, and after that if they talked it was of impersonal things and in a desultory manner. When night came Atsu called his attendants and had the weary old man put to bed in a curtained corner of the house. For himself there was no sleep. At midnight there came the beat of hoofs on the dust-muffled ways of Pa-Ramesu. A sentry knocked at the door of the commander and announced a visitor. Atsu, who still sat under the unextinguished reed light, greeted the new-comer with an exclamation of concern. The man was covered with dust, his dress was torn and bloody, his right hand swathed in cloths, and his lip, right cheek and eye were swollen and discolored. "By Horus, friend, thou lookest ill-used," the taskmaster exclaimed. "What has befallen thee?" "Naught--naught of any lasting hurt," the newcomer replied carelessly. "We were set upon by a troop of murdering Bedouins this side of Bubastis and had a pretty fight." "Aye, thou hast the stamp of its beauty upon thy face. A slave, here, with some balsam," Atsu continued, addressing the sentry, "and a captain of the constabulary next. We will cure these Bedouins and their hurt at once." "Nay," the visitor protested. "It is only a spear-slit in my hand, and a flying stirrup marred my face. I am well. Look to the Bedouins, however; they ran our messenger through--Set consume them!" "Doubt not, we shall look to them. They grow strangely insolent of late." "Small wonder," the other responded heartily. "Is not the whole north a seething pot of lawlessness; and by the demons of Amenti, is not the Israelite the fire under the caldron? Nay, but I shall have especial joy in damping him!" The man laughed and dropped into the chair Atsu had offered him. "Then thou art Horemheb, the new taskmaster over Pa-Ramesu?" "So! has my news outridden me?" the man exclaimed in very evident amazement. Ranas, indifferently clad in a hastily donned kamis, at this moment parted the curtains of his retreat and came forth with an apologetic courtesy. "And thy messenger, sir? What of him?" he asked eagerly. "Dead, and left at a wayside house." "And the message?" the old man persisted. Horemheb surveyed him with increasing astonishment. "Where hast thou these tidings?" he demanded. "They are scarce three hours old. Who reached thee with them before me?" Atsu interposed and explained the interchange of letters.