"
"I can not help you; my wits are taxed in another search."
Hotep's face showed light at the taskmaster's words.
"Is she also gone?" he asked mildly. "Then let me give you my word,
that the discovery of one will also find the other."
Atsu gazed with growing hope at the scribe.
"How is he favored?" he asked at last.
"He is tall, half a palm taller than his fellows; comely of
countenance; young; in manner, amiable and courteous--."
Atsu interrupted him with a wave of his hand. "I saw him once--good
three months agone, but not since."
The reply baffled Hotep for a moment. He realized that to find
Kenkenes he must begin a search for Rachel.
"Good Atsu, he whom we seek is a friend to the maiden. He is much
beloved by me--by us. Whomsoever he befriendeth we shall befriend.
Wilt thou tell us when and from whom the maiden fled?"
Atsu had become willing by this time. This amiable young noble might
be able to lift the suspense that burdened his unhappy heart.
"Har-hat--Set make a cinder of his heart!--asked her at the hands of
the Pharaoh for his harem--"
Mentu interrupted him with a growling imprecation and Hotep's fair face
darkened.
"Yesterday morning he sent three men to me," the taskmaster continued,
"with the document of gift from the Son of Ptah, but she saw them in
time and fled into the desert.
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