Of one of these Kenkenes asked that a personal attendant of the king be sent to him.
In a little time, some one emerged from the Pharaoh's tent, and came through the guard-line to the messenger. It was Nechutes.
The cup-bearer took but a single glance at Kenkenes and started back.
"Thou!" he exclaimed in a hoarse whisper. "Out of Amenti!"
"And nigh returning into it again," was the tired reply.
In a daze, Nechutes took the offered hands and stared at Kenkenes through the dark.
"Where hast thou been?" he finally asked.
"In the profoundest depths of trouble, Nechutes, nor have I come out therefrom."
The cup-bearer's face showed compassion even in the dusk.
"Nay, now; thine was but the fortune a multitude of lovers have
suffered before thee," he said, with a contrite note in his deep voice.
"It was even odds between us and I won. Hold it not against me,
Kenkenes."