'Here, take it into your hand.' 'No, thank you,' said the priest, swiftly backing.

'Can you do that again ?' 'Yes.' 'Then come with me to the great double house of Pharaoh.

He loves good magic, and he will raise you to honour and glory.

There's no need of secrets between initiates,' he went on confidentially.

'The fact is, I am out of favour at present owing to a little matter of failure of prophecy.