The gates were tightly closed and a sentry from the wall challenged him.
"I bring a message to the Pharaoh," he answered.
"The Son of Ptah is not within the walls."
"Hath he departed," Kenkenes wearily asked, "or came he not hither?"
"He came not to Pithom."
"Come thou down, then, and let me in, friend, for I am spent."
In a little time, he entered the inn of the treasure city, was given a bed, upon which he flung himself without so much as loosening the kerchief on his head, and slept.
CHAPTER XLIII
"THE PHARAOH DREW NIGH"
In mid-afternoon of the following day, Kenkenes awoke and made ready to take up his search again. He was weary, listless and sore, but his mission urged him as if death threatened him.