TheAmuletwasheldup。’Takeussomewhere，’saidJane，’anywhereyoulikeinthePast——butsomewherewhereyouare。’
　　Thenshesaidtheword。
　　Nextmomenteveryonefeltaqueerrockingandswaying——somethinglikewhatyoufeelwhenyougooutinafishingboat。Andthatwasnotwonderful，whenyoucometothinkofit，foritwasinaboatthattheyfoundthemselves。Aqueerboat，withhighbulwarkspiercedwithholesforoarstogothrough。Therewasahighseatforthesteersman，andtheprowwasshapedliketheheadofsomegreatanimalwithbig，staringeyes。Theboatrodeatanchorinabay，andthebaywasverysmooth。Thecrewweredark，wiryfellowswithblackbeardsandhair。Theyhadnoclothesexceptatunicfromwaisttoknee，androundcapswithknobsonthetop。Theywereverybusy，andwhattheyweredoingwassointerestingtothechildrenthatatfirsttheydidnotevenwonderwheretheAmulethadbroughtthem。Andthecrewseemedtoobusytonoticethechildren。Theywerefasteningrushbasketstoalongropewithagreatpieceofcorkattheend，andineachbaskettheyputmusselsorlittlefrogs。Thentheycastouttherope，thebasketssank，butthecorkfloated。Andallaboutonthebluewaterwereotherboatsandallthecrewsofalltheboatswerebusywithropesandbasketsandfrogsandmussels。
　　’Whateverareyoudoing？’Janesuddenlyaskedamanwhohadrathermoreclothesthantheothers，andseemedtobeasortofcaptainoroverseer。Hestartedandstaredather，buthehadseentoomanystrangelandstobeverymuchsurprisedatthesequeerly—dressedstowaways。
　　’Settinglinesforthedyeshell—fish，’hesaidshortly。’Howdidyougethere？’
　　’Asortofmagic，’saidRobertcarelessly。TheCaptainfingeredanAmuletthathungroundhisneck。
　　’Whatisthisplace？’askedCyril。
　　’Tyre，ofcourse，’saidtheman。Thenhedrewbackandspokeinalowvoicetooneofthesailors。
　　’Nowweshallknowaboutyourpreciouscream—jugfish，’saidCyril。
　　’ButweneverSAIDcometoTyre，’saidJane。
　　’TheAmuletheardustalking，Iexpect。Ithinkit’sMOST
　　obligingofit，’saidAnthea。
　　’AndtheAmulet’sheretoo，’saidRobert。’Weoughttobeabletofinditinalittleshiplikethis。Iwonderwhichofthem’sgotit。’
　　’Oh——look，look！’criedAntheasuddenly。Onthebarebreastofoneofthesailorsgleamedsomethingred。Itwastheexactcounterpartoftheirprecioushalf—Amulet。
　　Asilence，fullofemotion，wasbrokenbyJane。
　　’Thenwe’vefoundit！’shesaid。’Ohdolet’stakeitandgohome！’
　　’Easytosay"takeit"，’saidCyril；’helooksverystrong。’
　　Hedid——yetnotsostrongastheothersailors。
　　’It’sodd，’saidAntheamusingly，’IdobelieveI’veseenthatmansomewherebefore。’
　　’He’sratherlikeourlearnedgentleman，’saidRobert，’butI’lltellyouwhohe’smuchmorelike——’Atthatmomentthatsailorlookedup。HiseyesmetRobert’s——andRobertandtheothershadnolongeranydoubtastowheretheyhadseenhimbefore。ItwasRekh—mara，thepriestwhohadledthemtothepalaceofPharaoh——andwhomJanehadlookedbackatthroughthearch，whenhewascounsellingPharaoh’sguardtotakethejewelsandflyforhislife。
　　Nobodywasquitepleased，andnobodyquiteknewwhy。
　　Janevoicedthefeelingsofallwhenshesaid，fingeringTHEIR
　　Amuletthroughthefoldsofherfrock，’Wecangobackinaminuteifanythingnastyhappens。’
　　Forthemomentnothingworsehappenedthananofferoffood——figsandcucumbersitwas，andverypleasant。
　　’Isee，’saidtheCaptain，’thatyouarefromafarcountry。
　　Sinceyouhavehonouredmyboatbyappearingonit，youmuststayheretillmorning。ThenIwillleadyoutooneofourgreatones。Helovesstrangersfromfarlands。’
　　’Let’sgohome，’Janewhispered，’allthefrogsaredrowningNOW。
　　Ithinkthepeopleherearecruel。’
　　Buttheboyswantedtostayandseethelinestakenupinthemorning。
　　’It’sjustlikeeel—potsandlobster—pots，’saidCyril，’thebasketsonlyopenfromoutside——Ivotewestay。’
　　Sotheystayed。
　　’That’sTyreoverthere，’saidtheCaptain，whowasevidentlytryingtobecivil。Hepointedtoagreatislandrock，thatrosesteeplyfromthesea，crownedwithhugewallsandtowers。Therewasanothercityonthemainland。
　　’That’spartofTyre，too，’saidtheCaptain；’it’swherethegreatmerchantshavetheirpleasure—housesandgardensandfarms。’
　　’Look，look！’Cyrilcriedsuddenly；’whatalovelylittleship！’
　　Ashipinfullsailwaspassingswiftlythroughthefishingfleet。TheCaptain’sfacechanged。Hefrowned，andhiseyesblazedwithfury。
　　’Insolentyoungbarbarian！’hecried。’DoyoucalltheshipsofTyreLITTLE？Nonegreatersailtheseas。Thatshiphasbeenonathreeyears’voyage。SheisknowninallthegreattradingportsfromheretotheTinIslands。Shecomesbackrichandglorious。Herveryanchorisofsilver。’
　　’I’msurewebegyourpardon，’saidAntheahastily。’Inourcountrywesay"little"forapetname。Yourwifemightcallyouherdearlittlehusband，youknow。’
　　’Ishouldliketocatchheratit，’growledtheCaptain，buthestoppedscowling。
　　’It’sarichtrade，’hewenton。’ForclothONCEdipped，second—bestglass，andtheroughimagesouryoungartistscarveforpractice，thebarbarianKinginTessosletsusworkthesilvermines。Wegetsomuchsilvertherethatweleavethemourironanchorsandcomebackwithsilverones。’
　　’Howsplendid！’saidRobert。’Dogoon。What’sclothoncedipped？’
　　’YouMUSTbebarbariansfromtheouterdarkness，’saidtheCaptainscornfully。’Allwealthynationsknowthatourfineststuffsaretwicedyed——dibaptha。They’reonlyfortherobesofkingsandpriestsandprinces。’
　　’Whatdotherichmerchantswear，’askedJane，withinterest，’inthepleasure—houses？’
　　’Theywearthedibaptha。OURmerchantsAREprinces，’scowledtheskipper。
　　’Oh，don’tbecross，wedosolikehearingaboutthings。WewanttoknowALLaboutthedyeing，’saidAntheacordially。
　　’Oh，youdo，doyou？’growledtheman。’Sothat’swhatyou’reherefor？Well，youwon’tgetthesecretsofthedyetradeoutofME。’
　　Hewentaway，andeveryonefeltsnubbedanduncomfortable。Andallthetimethelong，narroweyesoftheEgyptianwerewatching，watching。Theyfeltasthoughhewaswatchingthemthroughthedarkness，whentheylaydowntosleeponapileofcloaks。
　　Nextmorningthebasketsweredrawnupfullofwhatlookedlikewhelkshells。
　　Thechildrenwereratherintheway，buttheymadethemselvesassmallastheycould。Whiletheskipperwasattheotherendoftheboattheydidaskonequestionofasailor，whosefacewasalittlelessunkindthantheothers。
　　’Yes，’heanswered，’thisisthedye—fish。It’sasortofmurex——andthere’sanotherkindthattheycatchatSidonandthen，ofcourse，there’sthekindthat’susedforthedibaptha。
　　Butthat’squitedifferent。It’s——’
　　’Holdyourtongue！’shoutedtheskipper。Andthemanheldit。
　　Theladenboatwasrowedslowlyroundtheendoftheisland，andwasmadefastinoneofthetwogreatharboursthatlayinsidealongbreakwater。Theharbourwasfullofallsortsofships，sothatCyrilandRobertenjoyedthemselvesmuchmorethantheirsisters。Thebreakwaterandthequayswereheapedwithbalesandbaskets，andcrowdedwithslavesandsailors。Fartheralongsomemenwerepractisingdiving。
　　’That’sjollygood，’saidRobert，asanakedbrownbodycleftthewater。
　　’Ishouldthinkso，’saidtheskipper。’Thepearl—diversofPersiaarenotmoreskilful。Why，we’vegotafresh—waterspringthatcomesoutatthebottomofthesea。Ourdiversdivedownandbringupthefreshwaterinskinbottles！Canyourbarbariandiversdoasmuch？’
　　’Isupposenot，’saidRobert，andputawayawilddesiretoexplaintotheCaptaintheEnglishsystemofwaterworks，pipes，taps，andtheintricaciesoftheplumbers’trade。
　　Astheynearedthequaytheskippermadeahastytoilet。Hedidhishair，combedhisbeard，putonagarmentlikeajerseywithshortsleeves，anembroideredbelt，anecklaceofbeads，andabigsignetring。
　　’Now，’saidhe，’I’mfittobeseen。Comealong？’
　　’Whereto？’saidJanecautiously。
　　’ToPheles，thegreatsea—captain，saidtheskipper，’themanI
　　toldyouof，wholovesbarbarians。’
　　ThenRekh—maracameforward，and，forthefirsttime，spoke。
　　’Ihaveknownthesechildreninanotherland，’hesaid。’Youknowmypowersofmagic。Itwasmymagicthatbroughtthesebarbarianstoyourboat。Andyouknowhowtheywillprofityou。
　　Ireadyourthoughts。Letmecomewithyouandseetheendofthem，andthenIwillworkthespellIpromisedyouinreturnforthelittleexperienceyouhavesokindlygivenmeonyourboat。’
　　TheskipperlookedattheEgyptianwithsomedisfavour。
　　’SoitwasYOURdoing，’hesaid。’Imighthaveguessedit。
　　Well，comeon。’
　　Sohecame，andthegirlswishedhehadn’t。ButRobertwhispered——
　　’Nonsense——aslongashe’swithuswe’vegotsomechanceoftheAmulet。Wecanalwaysflyifanythinggoeswrong。’
　　Themorningwassofreshandbright；theirbreakfasthadbeensogoodandsounusual；theyhadactuallyseentheAmuletroundtheEgyptian’sneck。Oneortwo，orallthesethings，suddenlyraisedthechildren’sspirits。Theywentoffquitecheerfullythroughthecitygate——itwasnotarched，butroofedoverwithagreatflatstone——andsothroughthestreet，whichsmelthorriblyoffishandgarlicandathousandotherthingsevenlessagreeable。Butfarworsethanthestreetscentswasthescentofthefactory，wheretheskippercalledintosellhisnight’scatch。IwishIcouldtellyouallaboutthatfactory，butI
　　haven’ttime，andperhapsafterallyouaren’tinterestedindyeingworks。IwillonlymentionthatRobertwastriumphantlyprovedtoberight。ThedyeWASayellowish—whiteliquidofacreamyconsistency，anditsmeltmorestronglyofgarlicthangarlicitselfdoes。
　　WhiletheskipperwasbargainingwiththemasterofthedyeworkstheEgyptiancameclosetothechildren，andsaid，suddenlyandsoftly——
　　’Trustme。’
　　’Iwishwecould，’saidAnthea。
　　’Youfeel，’saidtheEgyptian，’thatIwantyourAmulet。Thatmakesyoudistrustme。’
　　’Yes，’saidCyrilbluntly。
　　’Butyoualso，youwantmyAmulet，andIamtrustingyou。’
　　’There’ssomethinginthat，’saidRobert。
　　’WehavethetwohalvesoftheAmulet，’saidthePriest，’butnotyetthepinthatjoinedthem。Ouronlychanceofgettingthatistoremaintogether。Oncepartthesetwohalvesandtheymayneverbefoundinthesametimeandplace。Bewise。Ourinterestsarethesame。’
　　Beforeanyonecouldsaymoretheskippercameback，andwithhimthedye—master。Hishairandbeardwerecurledlikethemen’sinBabylon，andhewasdressedliketheskipper，butwithaddedgrandeurofgoldandembroidery。Hehadnecklacesofbeadsandsilver，andaglassamuletwithaman’sface，verylikehisown，setbetweentwobull’sheads，aswellasgoldandsilverbraceletsandarmlets。Helookedkeenlyatthechildren。Thenhesaid——
　　’MybrotherPheleshasjustcomebackfromTarshish。He’sathisgardenhouse——unlesshe’shuntingwildboarinthemarshes。Hegetsfrightfullyboredonshore。’
　　’Ah，’saidtheskipper，’he’satrue—bornPhoenician。"Tyre，Tyreforever！Oh，Tyrerulesthewaves！"astheoldsongsays。
　　I’llgoatonce，andshowhimmyyoungbarbarians。’
　　’Ishould，’saidthedye—master。’Theyareveryrum，aren’tthey？Whatfrightfulclothes，andwhatalotofthem！Observethecoveringoftheirfeet。Hideousindeed。’
　　Robertcouldnothelpthinkinghoweasy，andatthesametimepleasant，itwouldbetocatchholdofthedye—master’sfeetandtiphimbackwardintothegreatsunkenvatjustnearhim。Butifhehad，flightwouldhavehadtobethenextmove，soherestrainedhisimpulse。
　　TherewassomethingaboutthisTyrianadventurethatwasdifferentfromalltheothers。Itwas，somehow，calmer。AndtherewastheundoubtedfactthatthecharmwasthereontheneckoftheEgyptian。
　　Sotheyenjoyedeverythingtothefull，therowfromtheIslandCitytotheshore，therideonthedonkeysthattheskipperhiredatthegateofthemainlandcity，andthepleasantcountry——palmsandfigsandcedarsallabout。Itwaslikeagarden——clematis，honeysuckle，andjasmineclungabouttheoliveandmulberrytrees，andthereweretulipsandgladiolus，andclumpsofmandrake，whichhasbell—flowersthatlookasthoughtheywerecutoutofdarkbluejewels。InthedistancewerethemountainsofLebanon。Thehousetheycametoatlastwasratherlikeabungalow——longandlow，withpillarsallalongthefront。Cedarsandsycamoresgrewnearitandsheltereditpleasantly。
　　Everyonedismounted，andthedonkeyswereledaway。
　　’WhyisthislikeRosherville？’whisperedRobert，andinstantlysuppliedtheanswer。
　　’Becauseit’stheplacetospendahappyday。’
　　’It’sjollydecentoftheskippertohavebroughtustosucharippingplace，’saidCyril。
　　’Doyouknow，’saidAnthea，’thisfeelsmorerealthananythingelsewe’veseen？It’slikeaholidayinthecountryathome。’
　　Thechildrenwereleftaloneinalargehall。Thefloorwasmosaic，donewithwonderfulpicturesofshipsandsea—beastsandfishes。Throughanopendoorwaytheycouldseeapleasantcourtyardwithflowers。
　　’Ishouldliketospendaweekhere，’saidJane，’anddonkeyrideeveryday。’
　　Everyonewasfeelingveryjolly。EventheEgyptianlookedpleasanterthanusual。Andthen，quitesuddenly，theskippercamebackwithajoyoussmile。Withhimcamethemasterofthehouse。Helookedsteadilyatthechildrenandnoddedtwice。
　　’Yes，’hesaid，’mystewardwillpayyoutheprice。ButIshallnotpayatthathighratefortheEgyptiandog。’
　　Thetwopassedon。
　　’This，’saidtheEgyptian，’isaprettykettleoffish。’
　　’Whatis？’askedallthechildrenatonce。
　　’Ourpresentposition，’saidRekh—mara。’Ourseafaringfriend，’
　　headded，’hassoldusallforslaves！’
　　Ahastycouncilsucceededtheshockofthisannouncement。ThePriestwasallowedtotakepartinit。Hisadvicewas’stay’，becausetheywereinnodanger，andtheAmuletinitscompletenessmustbesomewherenear，or，ofcourse，theycouldnothavecometothatplaceatall。Andaftersomediscussiontheyagreedtothis。
　　Thechildrenweretreatedmoreasgueststhanasslaves，buttheEgyptianwassenttothekitchenandmadetowork。
　　Pheles，themasterofthehouse，wentoffthatveryevening，bytheKing’sorders，tostartonanothervoyage。Andwhenhewasgonehiswifefoundthechildrenamusingcompany，andkeptthemtalkingandsinginganddancingtillquitelate。’Todistractmymindfrommysorrows，’shesaid。
　　’Idolikebeingaslave，’remarkedJanecheerfully，astheycurleduponthebig，softcushionsthatweretobetheirbeds。
　　Itwasblacknightwhentheywereawakened，eachbyahandpassedsoftlyoveritsface，andalowvoicethatwhispered——
　　’Bequiet，orallislost。’
　　Sotheywerequiet。
　　’It’sme，Rekh—mara，thePriestofAmen，’saidthewhisperer。
　　’Themanwhobroughtushasgonetoseaagain，andhehastakenmyAmuletfrommebyforce，andIknownomagictogetitback。
　　IstheremagicforthatintheAmuletyoubear？’
　　Everyonewasinstantlyawakebynow。
　　’Wecangoafterhim，’saidCyril，leapingup；’buthemighttakeOURSaswell；orhemightbeangrywithusforfollowinghim。’
　　’I’llseetoTHAT，’saidtheEgyptianinthedark。’HideyourAmuletwell。’
　　ThereinthedeepblacknessofthatroomintheTyriancountryhousetheAmuletwasoncemoreheldupandthewordspoken。
　　Allpassedthroughontoashipthattossedandtumbledonawind—blownsea。Theycrouchedtogethertheretillmorning，andJaneandCyrilwerenotatallwell。Whenthedawnshowed，dove—coloured，acrossthesteelywaves，theystoodupaswellastheycouldforthetumblingoftheship。Pheles，thathardysailorandadventurer，turnedquitepalewhenheturnedroundsuddenlyandsawthem。
　　’Well！’hesaid，’well，Ineverdid！’
　　’Master，’saidtheEgyptian，bowinglow，andthatwasevenmoredifficultthanstandingup，’weareherebythemagicofthesacredAmuletthathangsroundyourneck。’
　　’Ineverdid！’repeatedPheles。’Well，well！’
　　’Whatportistheshipboundfor？’askedRobert，withanauticalair。
　　ButPhelessaid，’Areyouanavigator？’Roberthadtoownthathewasnot。
　　’Then，’saidPheles，’Idon’tmindtellingyouthatwe’reboundfortheTinIsles。TyrealoneknowswheretheTinIslesare。Itisasplendidsecretwekeepfromalltheworld。Itisasgreatathingtousasyourmagictoyou。’
　　Hespokeinquiteanewvoice，andseemedtorespectboththechildrenandtheAmuletagooddealmorethanhehaddonebefore。
　　’TheKingsentyou，didn’the？’saidJane。
　　’Yes，’answeredPheles，’hebademesetsailwithhalfascorebravegentlemenandthiscrew。Youshallgowithus，andseemanywonders。’Hebowedandleftthem。
　　’Whatarewegoingtodonow？’saidRobert，whenPheleshadcausedthemtobeleftalongwithabreakfastofdriedfruitsandasortofhardbiscuit。
　　’WaittillhelandsintheTinIsles，’saidRekh—mara，’thenwecangetthebarbarianstohelpus。WewillattackhimbynightandtearthesacredAmuletfromhisaccursedheathenneck，’headded，grindinghisteeth。
　　’WhenshallwegettotheTinIsles？’askedJane。
　　’Oh——sixmonths，perhaps，orayear，’saidtheEgyptiancheerfully。
　　’AyearofTHIS？’criedJane，andCyril，whowasstillfeelingfartoounwelltocareaboutbreakfast，huggedhimselfmiserablyandshuddered。ItwasRobertwhosaid——
　　’Lookhere，wecanshortenthatyear。Jane，outwiththeAmulet！
　　WishthatwewerewheretheAmuletwillbewhentheshipistwentymilesfromtheTinIsland。That’llgiveustimetomatureourplans。’
　　Itwasdone——theworkofamoment——andtheretheywereonthesameship，betweengreynorthernskyandgreynorthernsea。Thesunwassettinginapaleyellowline。Itwasthesameship，butitwaschanged，andsowerethecrew。Weather—wornanddirtywerethesailors，andtheirclothestornandragged。Andthechildrensawthat，ofcourse，thoughtheyhadskippedtheninemonths，theshiphadhadtolivethroughthem。Pheleslookedthinner，andhisfacewasruggedandanxious。
　　’Ha！’hecried，’thecharmhasbroughtyouback！Ihaveprayedtoitdailytheseninemonths——andnowyouarehere？Haveyounomagicthatcanhelp？’
　　’Whatisyourneed？’askedtheEgyptianquietly。
　　’Ineedagreatwavethatshallwhelmawaytheforeignshipthatfollowsus。Amonthagoitlayinwaitforus，bythepillarsofthegods，anditfollows，follows，tofindoutthesecretofTyre——theplaceoftheTinIslands。IfIcouldsteerbynightI
　　couldescapethemyet，buttonighttherewillbenostars。’
　　’Mymagicwillnotserveyouhere，’saidtheEgyptian。
　　ButRobertsaid，’Mymagicwillnotbringupgreatwaves，butI
　　canshowyouhowtosteerwithoutstars。’
　　Hetookouttheshillingcompass，still，fortunately，inworkingorder，thathehadboughtoffanotherboyatschoolforfivepence，apieceofindiarubber，astripofwhalebone，andhalfastickofredsealing—wax。
　　AndheshowedPheleshowitworked。AndPheleswonderedatthecompass’smagictruth。
　　’Iwillgiveittoyou，’Robertsaid，’inreturnforthatcharmaboutyourneck。’
　　Phelesmadenoanswer。Hefirstlaughed，snatchedthecompassfromRobert’shand，andturnedawaystilllaughing。
　　’Becomforted，’thePriestwhispered，’ourtimewillcome。’
　　Theduskdeepened，andPheles，crouchedbesideadimlantern，steeredbytheshillingcompassfromtheCrystalPalace。
　　Nooneeverknewhowtheothershipsailed，butsuddenly，inthedeepnight，thelook—outmanatthesterncriedoutinaterriblevoice——
　　’Sheiscloseuponus！’
　　’Andwe，’saidPheles，’areclosetotheharbour。’Hewassilentamoment，thensuddenlyhealteredtheship’scourse，andthenhestoodupandspoke。
　　’Goodfriendsandgentlemen，’hesaid，’whoareboundwithmeinthisbraveventurebyourKing’scommand，thefalse，foreignshipiscloseonourheels。Ifweland，theyland，andonlythegodsknowwhethertheymightnotbeatusinfight，andthemselvessurvivetocarrybackthetaleofTyre’ssecretislandtoenrichtheirownmiserableland。Shallthisbe？’
　　’Never！’criedthehalf—dozenmennearhim。Theslaveswererowinghardbelowandcouldnothearhiswords。
　　TheEgyptianleapeduponhim；suddenly，fiercely，asawildbeastleaps。’GivemebackmyAmulet，’hecried，andcaughtatthecharm。Thechainthathelditsnapped，anditlayinthePriest’shand。
　　Pheleslaughed，standingbalancedtotheleapoftheshipthatansweredtheoarstroke。
　　’Thisisnotimeforcharmsandmummeries，’hesaid。’We’velivedlikemen，andwe’lldielikegentlemenforthehonourandgloryofTyre，oursplendidcity。"Tyre，Tyreforever！It’sTyrethatrulesthewaves。"IsteerherstraightfortheDragonrocks，andwegodownforourcity，asbravemenshould。Thecreepingcowardswhofollowshallgodownasslaves——andslavestheyshallbetous——whenweliveagain。Tyre，Tyreforever！’
　　Agreatshoutwentup，andtheslavesbelowjoinedinit。
　　’Quick，theAmulet，’criedAnthea，andhelditup。Rekh—marahelduptheonehehadsnatchedfromPheles。Thewordwasspoken，andthetwogreatarchesgrewontheplungingshipintheshriekingwindunderthedarksky。FromeachAmuletagreatandbeautifulgreenlightstreamedandshonefaroutoverthewaves。
　　Itilluminated，too，theblackfacesandjaggedteethofthegreatrocksthatlaynottwoships’lengthsfromtheboat’speakednose。
　　’Tyre，Tyreforever！It’sTyrethatrulesthewaves！’thevoicesofthedoomedroseinatriumphantshout。Thechildrenscrambledthroughthearch，andstoodtremblingandblinkingintheFitzroyStreetparlour，andintheirearsstillsoundedthewhistleofthewind，andtherattleoftheoars，thecrashoftheshipsbowontherocks，andthelastshoutofthebravegentlemen—adventurerswhowenttotheirdeathssinging，forthesakeofthecitytheyloved。
　　’Andsowe’velosttheotherhalfoftheAmuletagain，’saidAnthea，whentheyhadtoldthePsammeadallaboutit。
　　’Nonsense，pooh！’saidthePsammead。’Thatwasn’ttheotherhalf。Itwasthesamehalfthatyou’vegot——theonethatwasn’tcrushedandlost。’
　　’Buthowcoulditbethesame？’saidAntheagently。
　　’Well，notexactly，ofcourse。Theoneyou’vegotisagoodmanyyearsolder，butatanyrateit’snottheotherone。Whatdidyousaywhenyouwished？’
　　’Iforget，’saidJane。
　　’Idon’t，’saidthePsammead。’Yousaid，"TakeuswhereYOU
　　are"——anditdid，soyouseeitwasthesamehalf。’
　　’Isee，’saidAnthea。
　　’Butyoumarkmywords，’thePsammeadwenton，’you’llhavetroublewiththatPriestyet。’
　　’Why，hewasquitefriendly，’saidAnthea。
　　’Allthesameyou’dbetterbewareoftheReverendRekh—mara。’
　　’Oh，I’msickoftheAmulet，’saidCyril，’weshallnevergetit。’
　　’Ohyesweshall，’saidRobert。’Don’tyourememberDecember3rd？’
　　’Jinks！’saidCyril，’I’dforgottenthat。’
　　’Idon’tbelieveit，’saidJane，’andIdon’tfeelatallwell。’
　　’IfIwereyou，’saidthePsammead，’IshouldnotgooutintothePastagaintillthatdate。You’llfinditsafernottogowhereyou’relikelytomeetthatEgyptiananymorejustatpresent。’
　　’Ofcoursewe’lldoasyousay，’saidAntheasoothingly，’thoughthere’ssomethingabouthisfacethatIreallydolike。’
　　’Still，youdon’twanttorunafterhim，Isuppose，’snappedthePsammead。’Youwaittillthe3rd，andthenseewhathappens。’
　　CyrilandJanewerefeelingfarfromwell，Antheawasalwaysobliging，soRobertwasoverruled。Andtheypromised。Andnoneofthem，noteventhePsammead，atallforesaw，asyounodoubtdoquiteplainly，exactlywhatitwasthatWOULDhappenonthatmemorabledate。
　　CHAPTER14
　　THEHEART’SDESIRE
　　IfIonlyhadtimeIcouldtellyoulotsofthings。Forinstance，how，inspiteoftheadviceofthePsammead，thefourchildrendid，oneverywetday，gothroughtheirAmuletArchintothegoldendesert，andtherefindthegreatTempleofBaalbecandmeetwiththePhoenixwhomtheyneverthoughttoseeagain。AndhowthePhoenixdidnotrememberthematalluntilitwentintoasortofprophetictrance——ifthatcanbecalledremembering。
　　But，alas！IHAVEN’Ttime，soImustleaveallthatoutthoughitwasawonderfullythrillingadventure。Imustleaveout，too，allaboutthevisitofthechildrentotheHippodromewiththePsammeadinitstravellingbag，andabouthowthewishesofthepeopleroundaboutthemweregrantedsosuddenlyandsurprisinglythatatlastthePsammeadhadtobetakenhurriedlyhomebyAnthea，whoconsequentlymissedhalftheperformance。Thentherewasthetimewhen，NursehavinggonetoteawithafriendoutIvalunkway，theywereplaying’devilinthedark’——andinthemidstofthatmostcreepypastimethepostman’sknockfrightenedJanenearlyoutofherlife。Shetookintheletters，however，andputtheminthebackofthehat—standdrawer，sothattheyshouldbesafe。Andsafetheywere，forsheneverthoughtofthemagainforweeksandweeks。
　　OnereallygoodthinghappenedwhentheytookthePsammeadtoamagic—lanternshowandlectureattheboys’schoolatCamdenTown。ThelecturewasallaboutoursoldiersinSouthAfrica。
　　Andthelecturerendedupbysaying，’AndIhopeeveryboyinthisroomhasinhishearttheseedsofcourageandheroismandself—sacrifice，andIwishthateveryoneofyoumaygrowuptobenobleandbraveandunselfish，worthycitizensofthisgreatEmpireforwhomoursoldiershavefreelygiventheirlives。’
　　And，ofcourse，thiscametrue——whichwasadistinctscoreforCamdenTown。
　　AsAntheasaid，itwasunluckythatthelecturersaidboys，becausenowsheandJanewouldhavetobenobleandunselfish，ifatall，withoutanyoutsidehelp。ButJanesaid，’Idaresaywearealreadybecauseofourbeautifulnatures。It’sonlyboysthathavetobemadebravebymagic’——whichnearlyledtoafirst—classrow。
　　AndIdaresayyouwouldliketoknowallabouttheaffairofthefishingrod，andthefish—hooks，andthecooknextdoor——whichwasamusingfromsomepointsofview，thoughnotperhapsthecook’s——buttherereallyisnotimeevenforthat。
　　Theonlythingthatthere’stimetotellaboutistheAdventureofMaskelyneandCooke’s，andtheUnexpectedApparition——whichisalsothebeginningoftheend。
　　ItwasNursewhobrokeintothegloomymusicoftheautumnrainonthewindowpanesbysuggestingavisittotheEgyptianHall，England’sHomeofMystery。Thoughtheyhadgood，butprivatereasonstoknowthattheirownparticularpersonalmysterywasofaverydifferentbrand，thefourallbrightenedattheidea。Allchildren，aswellasagoodmanygrown—ups，loveconjuring。
　　’It’sinPiccadilly，’saidoldNurse，carefullycountingoutthepropernumberofshillingsintoCyril’shand，’notsoveryfardownontheleftfromtheCircus。There’sbigpillarsoutside，somethinglikeCarter’sseedplaceinHolborn，asusedtobeDayandMartin’sblackingwhenIwasagell。AndsomethinglikeEustonStation，onlynotsobig。’
　　’Yes，Iknow，’saideverybody。
　　Sotheystarted。
　　Butthoughtheywalkedalongtheleft—handsideofPiccadillytheysawnopillaredbuildingthatwasatalllikeCarter’sseedwarehouseorEustonStationorEngland’sHomeofMysteryastheyrememberedit。
　　Atlasttheystoppedahurriedlady，andaskedherthewaytoMaskelyneandCooke’s。
　　’Idon’tknow，I’msure，’shesaid，pushingpastthem。’IalwaysshopattheStores。’Whichjustshows，asJanesaid，howignorantgrown—uppeopleare。
　　ItwasapolicemanwhoatlastexplainedtothemthatEngland’sMysteriesarenowappropriatelyenoughenactedatStGeorge’sHall。
　　SotheytrampedtoLanghamPlace，andmissedthefirsttwoitemsintheprogramme。Buttheywereintimeforthemostwonderfulmagicappearancesanddisappearances，whichtheycouldhardlybelieve——evenwithalltheirknowledgeofalargermagic——wasnotreallymagicafterall。
　　’IfonlytheBabylonianscouldhaveseenTHISconjuring，’
　　whisperedCyril。’Ittakestheshineoutoftheiroldconjurer，doesn’tit？’
　　’Hush！’saidAntheaandseveralothermembersoftheaudience。
　　NowtherewasavacantseatnexttoRobert。AnditwaswhenalleyeswerefixedonthestagewhereMrDevantwaspouringoutglassesofallsortsofdifferentthingstodrink，outofonekettlewithonespout，andtheaudienceweredelightedlytastingthem，thatRobertfeltsomeoneinthatvacantseat。Hedidnotfeelsomeonesitdowninit。Itwasjustthatonemomenttherewasnoonesittingthere，andthenextmoment，suddenly，therewassomeone。
　　Robertturned。ThesomeonewhohadsuddenlyfilledthatemptyplacewasRekh—mara，thePriestofAmen！
　　ThoughtheeyesoftheaudiencewerefixedonMrDavidDevant，MrDavidDevant’seyeswerefixedontheaudience。Andithappenedthathiseyesweremoreparticularlyfixedonthatemptychair。
　　Sothathesawquiteplainlythesuddenappearance，fromnowhere，oftheEgyptianPriest。
　　’Ajollygoodtrick，’hesaidtohimself，’andworkedundermyowneyes，inmyownhall。I’llfindouthowthat’sdone。’Hehadneverseenatrickthathecouldnotdohimselfifhetried。
　　Bythistimeagoodmanyeyesintheaudiencehadturnedontheclean—shaven，curiously—dressedfigureoftheEgyptianPriest。
　　’Ladiesandgentlemen，’saidMrDevant，risingtotheoccasion，’thisisatrickIhaveneverbeforeperformed。Theemptyseat，thirdfromtheend，secondrow，gallery——youwillnowfindoccupiedbyanAncientEgyptian，warrantedgenuine。’
　　Helittleknewhowtruehiswordswere。
　　AndnowalleyeswereturnedonthePriestandthechildren，andthewholeaudience，afteramoment’sbreathlesssurprise，shoutedapplause。OnlytheladyontheothersideofRekh—maradrewbackalittle。SheKNEWnoonehadpassedher，and，asshesaidlater，overteaandcoldtongue，’itwasthatsuddenitmadeherfleshcreep。’
　　Rekh—maraseemedverymuchannoyedatthenoticehewasexciting。
　　’Comeoutofthiscrowd，’hewhisperedtoRobert。’Imusttalkwithyouapart。’
　　’Oh，no，’Janewhispered。’IdidsowanttoseetheMascotMoth，andtheVentriloquist。’
　　’Howdidyougethere？’wasRobert’sreturnwhisper。
　　’HowdidyougettoEgyptandtoTyre？’retortedRekh—mara。
　　’Come，letusleavethiscrowd。’
　　’There’snohelpforit，Isuppose，’Robertshruggedangrily。
　　Buttheyallgotup。
　　’Confederates！’saidamanintherowbehind。’Nowtheygoroundtothebackandtakepartinthenextscene。’
　　’Iwishwedid，’saidRobert。
　　’Confederateyourself！’saidCyril。Andsotheygotaway，theaudienceapplaudingtothelast。
　　InthevestibuleofStGeorge’sHalltheydisguisedRekh—maraaswellastheycould，butevenwithRobert’shatandCyril’sInvernesscapehewastoostrikingafigureforfoot—exerciseintheLondonstreets。Ithadtobeacab，andittookthelast，leastmoneyofallofthem。Theystoppedthecabafewdoorsfromhome，andthenthegirlswentinandengagedoldNurse’sattentionbyanaccountoftheconjuringandafervententreatyfordripping—toastwiththeirtea，leavingthefrontdooropensothatwhileNursewastalkingtothemtheboyscouldcreepquietlyinwithRekh—maraandsmugglehim，unseen，upthestairsintotheirbedroom。
　　WhenthegirlscameuptheyfoundtheEgyptianPriestsittingonthesideofCyril’sbed，hishandsonhisknees，lookinglikeastatueofaking。
　　’Comeon，’saidCyrilimpatiently。’Hewon’tbegintillwe’reallhere。Andshutthedoor，can’tyou？’
　　WhenthedoorwasshuttheEgyptiansaid——
　　’Myinterestsandyoursareone。’
　　’Veryinteresting，’saidCyril，’andit’llbeajollysightmoreinterestingifyoukeepfollowingusaboutinadecentcountrywithnomoreclothesonthanTHAT！’
　　’Peace，’saidthePriest。’Whatisthiscountry？andwhatisthistime？’
　　’Thecountry’sEngland，’saidAnthea，’andthetime’sabout6，000
　　yearslaterthanYOURtime。’
　　’TheAmulet，then，’saidthePriest，deeplythoughtful，’givesthepowertomovetoandfrointimeaswellasinspace？’
　　’That’saboutit，’saidCyrilgruffly。’Lookhere，it’llbetea—timedirectly。Whatarewetodowithyou？’
　　’Youhaveone—halfoftheAmulet，Itheother，’saidRekh—mara。
　　’Allthatisnowneededisthepintojointhem。’
　　’Don’tyouthinkit，’saidRobert。’Thehalfyou’vegotisthesamehalfastheonewe’vegot。’
　　’Butthesamethingcannotbeinthesameplaceandthesametime，andyetbenotone，buttwain，’saidthePriest。’See，hereismyhalf。’HelaiditontheMarcellacounterpane。
　　’Whereisyours？’
　　Janewatchingtheeyesoftheothers，unfastenedthestringoftheAmuletandlaiditonthebed，buttoofaroffforthePriesttoseizeit，evenifhehadbeensodishonourable。CyrilandRobertstoodbesidehim，readytospringonhimifoneofhishandshadmovedbuteversolittletowardsthemagictreasurethatwastheirs。Buthishandsdidnotmove，onlyhiseyesopenedverywide，andsodideveryoneelse’sfortheAmuletthePriesthadnowquiveredandshook；andthen，assteelisdrawntothemagnet，itwasdrawnacrossthewhitecounterpane，nearerandnearertotheAmulet，warmfromtheneckofJane。Andthen，asonedropofwatermingleswithanotheronarain—wrinkledwindow—pane，asonebeadofquick—silverisdrawnintoanotherbead，Rekh—mara’sAmuletslippedintotheotherone，and，behold！
　　therewasnomorebuttheoneAmulet！
　　’Blackmagic！’criedRekh—mara，andsprangforwardtosnatchtheAmuletthathadswallowedhis。ButAntheacaughtitup，andatthesamemomentthePriestwasjerkedbackbyaropethrownoverhishead。Itdrew，tightenedwiththepullofhisforwardleap，andboundhiselbowstohissides。Beforehehadtimetousehisstrengthtofreehimself，Roberthadknottedthecordbehindhimandtiedittothebedpost。Thenthefourchildren，overcomingthepriest’swrigglingsandkickings，tiedhislegswithmorerope。
　　’Ithought，’saidRobert，breathinghard，anddrawingthelastknottight，’he’dhaveatryforOURS，soIgottheropesoutofthebox—room，soastobeready。’
　　Thegirls，withratherwhitefaces，applaudedhisforesight。
　　’Loosenthesebonds！’criedRekh—marainfury，’beforeIblastyouwiththesevensecretcursesofAmen—Ra！’
　　’Weshouldn’tbelikelytoloosethemAFTER，’Robertretorted。
　　’Oh，don’tquarrel！’saidAntheadesperately。’Lookhere，hehasjustasmuchrighttothethingaswehave。This，’shetookuptheAmuletthathadswallowedtheotherone，’thishasgothisinitaswellasbeingours。Let’sgoshares。’
　　’Letmego！’criedthePriest，writhing。
　　’Now，lookhere，’saidRobert，’ifyoumakearowwecanjustopenthatwindowandcallthepolice——theguards，youknow——andtellthemyou’vebeentryingtorobus。NOWwillyoushutupandlistentoreason？’
　　’Isupposeso，’saidRekh—marasulkily。
　　Butreasoncouldnotbespokentohimtillawhisperedcounselhadbeenheldinthefarcornerbythewashhand—standandthetowel—horse，acounselratherlongandveryearnest。
　　AtlastAntheadetachedherselffromthegroup，andwentbacktothePriest。
　　’Lookhere，’shesaidinherkindlittlevoice，’wewanttobefriends。Wewanttohelpyou。Let’smakeatreaty。Let’sjointogethertogettheAmulet——thewholeone，Imean。Andthenitshallbelongtoyouasmuchastous，andweshallallgetourhearts’desire。’
　　’Fairwords，’saidthePriest，’grownoonions。’
　　’WEsay，"Butternoparsnips"，’Janeputin。’Butdon’tyouseeweWANTtobefair？Onlywewanttobindyouinthechainsofhonouranduprightdealing。’
　　’Willyoudealfairlybyus？’saidRobert。
　　’Iwill，’saidthePriest。’Bythesacred，secretnamethatiswrittenundertheAltarofAmen—Ra，Iwilldealfairlybyyou。
　　Willyou，too，taketheoathofhonourablepartnership？’
　　’No，’saidAnthea，ontheinstant，andaddedratherrashly。’Wedon’tswearinEngland，exceptinpolicecourts，wheretheguardsare，youknow，andyoudon’twanttogothere。ButwhenweSAY
　　we’lldoathing——it’sthesameasanoathtous——wedoit。Youtrustus，andwe’lltrustyou。’Shebegantounbindhislegs，andtheboyshastenedtountiehisarms。
　　Whenhewasfreehestoodup，stretchedhisarms，andlaughed。
　　’Now，’hesaid，’Iamstrongerthanyouandmyoathisvoid。I
　　haveswornbynothing，andmyoathisnothinglikewise。ForthereISnosecret，sacrednameunderthealtarofAmen—Ra。’
　　’Oh，yesthereis！’saidavoicefromunderthebed。Everyonestarted——Rekh—maramostofall。
　　CyrilstoopedandpulledoutthebathofsandwherethePsammeadslept。’Youdon’tknoweverything，thoughyouAREaDivineFatheroftheTempleofAmen，’saidthePsammeadshakingitselftillthesandfelltinklingonthebathedge。’ThereISasecret，sacrednamebeneaththealtarofAmen—Ra。ShallIcallonthatname？’
　　’No，no！’criedthePriestinterror。
　　’No，’saidJane，too。’Don’tlet’shaveanycallingnames。’
　　’Besides，’saidRekh—mara，whohadturnedverywhiteindeedunderhisnaturalbrownness，’Iwasonlygoingtosaythatthoughthereisn’tanynameunder——’
　　’ThereIS，’saidthePsammeadthreateningly。
　　’Well，evenifthereWASN’T，Iwillbeboundbythewordlessoathofyourstrangelyuprightland，andhavingsaidthatIwillbeyourfriend——Iwillbeit。’
　　’Thenthat’sallright，’saidthePsammead；’andthere’sthetea—bell。Whatareyougoingtodowithyourdistinguishedpartner？Hecan’tgodowntotealikethat，youknow。’
　　’Youseewecan’tdoanythingtillthe3rdofDecember，’saidAnthea，’that’swhenwearetofindthewholecharm。WhatcanwedowithRekh—maratillthen？’
　　’Box—room，’saidCyrilbriefly，’andsmuggleuphismeals。Itwillberatherfun。’
　　’LikeafleeingCavalierconcealedfromexasperatedRoundheads，’
　　saidRobert。’Yes。’
　　SoRekh—marawastakenuptothebox—roomandmadeascomfortableaspossibleinasnugnookbetweenanoldnurseryfenderandthewreckofabigfour—poster。Theygavehimabigrag—bagtositon，andanold，moth—eatenfurcoatoffthenailonthedoortokeephimwarm。Andwhentheyhadhadtheirownteatheytookhimsome。Hedidnotliketheteaatall，buthelikedthebreadandbutter，andcakethatwentwithit。Theytookitinturnstositwithhimduringtheevening，andlefthimfairlyhappyandquitesettledforthenight。
　　Butwhentheywentupinthemorningwithakipper，aquarterofwhicheachofthemhadgonewithoutatbreakfast，Rekh—marawasgone！Therewasthecosycornerwiththerag—bag，andthemoth—eatenfurcoat——butthecosycornerwasempty。
　　’Goodriddance！’wasnaturallythefirstdelightfulthoughtineachmind。Thesecondwaslesspleasing，becauseeveryoneatoncerememberedthatsincehisAmulethadbeenswallowedupbytheirs——whichhungoncemoreroundtheneckofJane——hecouldhavenopossiblemeansofreturningtohisEgyptianpast。
　　ThereforehemustbestillinEngland，andprobablysomewherequitenearthem，plottingmischief。
　　Theatticwassearched，topreventmistakes，butquitevainly。
　　’Thebestthingwecando，’saidCyril，’istogothroughthehalfAmuletstraightaway，getthewholeAmulet，andcomeback。’
　　’Idon’tknow，’Antheahesitated。’Wouldthatbequitefair？
　　Perhapsheisn’treallyabasedeceiver。Perhapssomething’shappenedtohim。’
　　’Happened？’saidCyril，’notit！Besides，whatCOULDhappen？’
　　’Idon’tknow，’saidAnthea。’Perhapsburglarscameinthenight，andaccidentallykilledhim，andtookawaythe——allthatwasmortalofhim，youknow——toavoiddiscovery。’
　　’Orperhaps，’saidCyril，’theyhidthe——allthatwasmortal，inoneofthosebigtrunksinthebox—room。SHALLWEGOBACKAND
　　LOOK？’headdedgrimly。
　　’No，no！’Janeshuddered。’Let’sgoandtellthePsammeadandseewhatitsays。’
　　’No，’saidAnthea，’let’saskthelearnedgentleman。IfanythinghashappenedtoRekh—maraagentleman’sadvicewouldbemoreusefulthanaPsammead’s。Andthelearnedgentleman’llonlythinkit’sadream，likehealwaysdoes。’
　　Theytappedatthedoor，andonthe’Comein’entered。Thelearnedgentlemanwassittinginfrontofhisuntastedbreakfast。
　　Oppositehim，intheeasychair，satRekh—mara！
　　’Hush！’saidthelearnedgentlemanveryearnestly，’please，hush！
　　orthedreamwillgo。Iamlearning……Oh，whathaveInotlearnedinthelasthour！’
　　’Inthegreydawn，’saidthePriest，’Ileftmyhiding—place，andfindingmyselfamongthesetreasuresfrommyowncountry，I
　　remained。Ifeelmoreathomeheresomehow。’
　　’OfcourseIknowit’sadream，’saidthelearnedgentlemanfeverishly，’but，oh，yegods！whatadream！Byjove！……’
　　’Callnotuponthegods，’saidthePriest，’lestyeraisegreateronesthanyecancontrol。Already，’heexplainedtothechildren，’heandIareasbrothers，andhiswelfareisdeartomeasmyown。’
　　’Hehastoldme，’thelearnedgentlemanbegan，butRobertinterrupted。Thiswasnomomentformanners。
　　’Haveyoutoldhim，’heaskedthePriest，’allabouttheAmulet？’
　　’No，’saidRekh—mara。
　　’Thentellhimnow。Heisverylearned。Perhapshecantelluswhattodo。’
　　Rekh—marahesitated，thentold——and，oddlyenough，noneofthechildrenevercouldrememberafterwardswhatitwasthathedidtell。Perhapsheusedsomemagictopreventtheirremembering。
　　Whenhehaddonethelearnedgentlemanwassilent，leaninghiselbowonthetableandhisheadonhishand。
　　’DearJimmy，’saidAntheagently，’don’tworryaboutit。Wearesuretofindittoday，somehow。’
　　’Yes，’saidRekh—mara，’andperhaps，withit，Death。’
　　’It’stobringusourhearts’desire，’saidRobert。
　　’Whoknows，’saidthePriest，’whatthingsundreamed—ofandinfinitelydesirableliebeyondthedarkgates？’
　　’Oh，DON’T，’saidJane，almostwhimpering。
　　Thelearnedgentlemanraisedhisheadsuddenly。
　　’Whynot，’hesuggested，’gobackintothePast？AtamomentwhentheAmuletisunwatched。Wishtobewithit，andthatitshallbeunderyourhand。’
　　Itwasthesimplestthingintheworld！Andyetnoneofthemhadeverthoughtofit。
　　’Come，’criedRekh—mara，leapingup。’ComeNOW！’
　　’May——mayIcome？’thelearnedgentlemantimidlyasked。’It’sonlyadream，youknow。’
　　’Come，andwelcome，ohbrother，’Rekh—marawasbeginning，butCyrilandRobertwithonevoicecried，’NO。’
　　’Youweren’twithusinAtlantis，’Robertadded，’oryou’dknowbetterthantolethimcome。’
　　’DearJimmy，’saidAnthea，’pleasedon’tasktocome。We’llgoandbebackagainbeforeyouhavetimetoknowthatwe’regone。’
　　’Andhe，too？’
　　’Wemustkeeptogether，’saidRekh—mara，’sincethereisbutoneperfectAmulettowhichIandthesechildrenhaveequalclaims。’
　　JanehelduptheAmulet——Rekh—marawentfirst——andtheyallpassedthroughthegreatarchintowhichtheAmuletgrewattheNameofPower。
　　Thelearnedgentlemansawthroughthearchadarknesslightedbysmokygleams。Herubbedhiseyes。Andheonlyrubbedthemfortenseconds。
　　ThechildrenandthePriestwereinasmall，darkchamber。A
　　squaredoorwayofmassivestoneletingleamsofshiftinglight，andthesoundofmanyvoiceschantingaslow，strangehymn。Theystoodlistening。Nowandthenthechantquickenedandthelightgrewbrighter，asthoughfuelhadbeenthrownonafire。
　　’Wherearewe？’whisperedAnthea。
　　’Andwhen？’whisperedRobert。
　　’Thisissomeshrinenearthebeginningsofbelief，’saidtheEgyptianshivering。’TaketheAmuletandcomeaway。Itiscoldhereinthemorningoftheworld。’
　　AndthenJanefeltthatherhandwasonaslabortableofstone，and，underherhand，somethingthatfeltlikethecharmthathadsolonghungroundherneck，onlyitwasthicker。Twiceasthick。
　　’It’sHERE！’shesaid，’I’vegotit！’Andshehardlyknewthesoundofherownvoice。
　　’Comeaway，’repeatedRekh—mara。
　　’IwishwecouldseemoreofthisTemple，’saidRobertresistingly。
　　’Comeaway，’thePriesturged，’thereisdeathallabout，andstrongmagic。Listen。’
　　Thechantingvoicesseemedtohavegrownlouderandfiercer，andlightstronger。
　　’Theyarecoming！’criedRekh—mara。’Quick，quick，theAmulet！’
　　Janehelditup。
　　’Whatalongtimeyou’vebeenrubbingyoureyes！’saidAnthea；
　　’don’tyouseewe’vegotback？’Thelearnedgentlemanmerelystaredather。
　　’MissAnthea——MissJane！’ItwasNurse’svoice，verymuchhigherandsqueakyandmoreexaltedthanusual。
　　’Oh，bother！’saideveryone。Cyriladding，’Youjustgoonwiththedreamforasec，MrJimmy，we’llbebackdirectly。Nurse’llcomeupifwedon’t。SHEwouldn’tthinkRekh—marawasadream。’
　　Thentheywentdown。Nursewasinthehall，anorangeenvelopeinonehand，andapinkpaperintheother。
　　’YourPaandMa’scomehome。"ReachLondon11。15。Prepareroomsasdirectedinletter"，andsignedintheirtwonames。’
　　’Oh，hooray！hooray！hooray！’shoutedtheboysandJane。ButAntheacouldnotshout，shewasnearercrying。
　　’Oh，’shesaidalmostinawhisper，’thenitWAStrue。AndweHAVEgotourhearts’desire。’
　　’ButIdon’tunderstandabouttheletter，’Nursewassaying。’I
　　haven’tHADnoletter。’
　　’OH！’saidJaneinaqueervoice，’Iwonderwhetheritwasoneofthose……theycamethatnight——youknow，whenwewereplaying"devilinthedark"——andIputtheminthehat—standdrawer，behindtheclothes—brushesand’——shepulledoutthedrawerasshespoke——’andheretheyare！’
　　TherewasaletterforNurseandoneforthechildren。TheletterstoldhowFatherhaddonebeingawar—correspondentandwascominghome；andhowMotherandTheLambweregoingtomeethiminItalyandallcomehometogether；andhowTheLambandMotherwerequitewell；andhowatelegramwouldbesenttotellthedayandthehouroftheirhome—coming。
　　’Mercyme！’saidoldNurse。’Ideclareifit’snottoobadofYou，MissJane。Ishallhaveaniceto—dogettingthingsstraightforyourPaandMa。’
　　’Oh，nevermind，Nurse，’saidJane，huggingher；’isn’titjusttoolovelyforanything！’
　　’We’llcomeandhelpyou，’saidCyril。’There’sjustsomethingupstairswe’vegottosettleup，andthenwe’llallcomeandhelpyou。’
　　’Getalongwithyou，’saidoldNurse，butshelaughedjollily。
　　’NicehelpYOU’Dbe。Iknowyou。Andit’steno’clocknow。’
　　Therewas，infact，somethingupstairsthattheyhadtosettle。
　　Quiteaconsiderablesomething，too。Andittookmuchlongerthantheyexpected。
　　Ahastyrushintotheboys’roomsecuredthePsammead，verysandyandverycross。
　　’Itdoesn’tmatterhowcrossandsandyitisthough，’saidAnthea，’itoughttobethereatthefinalcouncil。’
　　’It’llgivethelearnedgentlemanfits，Iexpect，’saidRobert，’whenheseesit。’
　　Butitdidn’t。
　　’Thedreamisgrowingmoreandmorewonderful，’heexclaimed，whenthePsammeadhadbeenexplainedtohimbyRekh—mara。’I
　　havedreamedthisbeastbefore。’
　　’Now，’saidRobert，’JanehasgotthehalfAmuletandI’vegotthewhole。Showup，Jane。’
　　JaneuntiedthestringandlaidherhalfAmuletonthetable，litteredwithdustypapers，andtheclaycylindersmarkedalloverwithlittlemarkslikethelittleprintsofbirds’littlefeet。RobertlaiddownthewholeAmulet，andAntheagentlyrestrainedtheeagerhandofthelearnedgentlemanasitreachedoutyearninglytowardsthe’perfectspecimen’。
　　Andthen，justasbeforeontheMarcellaquilt，sonowonthedustylitterofpapersandcuriosities，thehalfAmuletquiveredandshook，andthen，assteelisdrawntoamagnet，itwasdrawnacrossthedustymanuscripts，nearerandnearertotheperfectAmulet，warmfromthepocketofRobert。Andthen，asonedropofwatermingleswithanotherwhenthepanesofthewindowarewrinkledwithrain，asonebeadofmercuryisdrawnintoanotherbead，thehalfAmulet，thatwasthechildren’sandwasalsoRekh—mara’s，——slippedintothewholeAmulet，and，behold！therewasonlyone——theperfectandultimateCharm。
　　’AndTHAT’Sallright，’saidthePsammead，breakingabreathlesssilence。
　　’Yes，’saidAnthea，’andwe’vegotourhearts’desire。FatherandMotherandTheLambarecominghometoday。’
　　’Butwhataboutme？’saidRekh—mara。
　　’WhatISyourheart’sdesire？’Antheaasked。
　　’Greatanddeeplearning，’saidthePriest，withoutamoment’shesitation。’Alearninggreateranddeeperthanthatofanymanofmylandandmytime。Butlearningtoogreatisuseless。IfI
　　gobacktomyownlandandmyownage，whowillbelievemytalesofwhatIhaveseeninthefuture？Letmestayhere，bethegreatknowerofallthathasbeen，inthatourtime，solivingtome，sooldtoyou，aboutwhichyourlearnedmenspeculateunceasingly，andoften，HEtellsme，vainly。’
　　’IfIwereyou，’saidthePsammead，’IshouldasktheAmuletaboutthat。It’sadangerousthing，tryingtoliveinatimethat’snotyourown。Youcan’tbreatheanairthat’sthousandsofcenturiesaheadofyourlungswithoutfeelingtheeffectsofit，soonerorlater。PreparethemysticcircleandconsulttheAmulet。’
　　’Oh，WHATadream！’criedthelearnedgentleman。’Dearchildren，ifyouloveme——andIthinkyoudo，indreamsandoutofthem——preparethemysticcircleandconsulttheAmulet！’
　　Theydid。Asoncebefore，whenthesunhadshoneinAugustsplendour，theycrouchedinacircleonthefloor。NowtheairoutsidewasthickandyellowwiththefogthatbysomestrangedecreealwaysattendstheCattleShowweek。Andinthestreetcosterswereshouting。’UrHekauSetcheh，’JanesaidtheNameofPower。Andinstantlythelightwentout，andallthesoundswentouttoo，sothattherewasasilenceandadarkness，bothdeeperthananydarknessorsilencethatyouhaveeverevendreamedofimagining。Itwaslikebeingdeaforblind，onlydarkerandquietereventhanthat。
　　Thenoutofthatvastdarknessandsilencecamealightandavoice。Thelightwastoofainttoseeanythingby，andthevoicewastoosmallforyoutohearwhatitsaid。Butthelightandthevoicegrew。Andthelightwasthelightthatnomanmaylookonandlive，andthevoicewasthesweetestandmostterriblevoiceintheworld。Thechildrencastdowntheireyes。Andsodideveryone。
　　’Ispeak，’saidthevoice。’Whatisitthatyouwouldhear？’
　　Therewasapause。Everyonewasafraidtospeak。
　　’WhatarewetodoaboutRekh—mara？’saidRobertsuddenlyandabruptly。’ShallhegobackthroughtheAmulettohisowntime，or——’
　　’NoonecanpassthroughtheAmuletnow，’saidthebeautiful，terriblevoice，’toanylandoranytime。Onlywhenitwasimperfectcouldsuchthingsbe。Butmenmaypassthroughtheperfectcharmtotheperfectunion，whichisnotoftimeorspace。’
　　’Wouldyoubesoverykind，’saidAntheatremulously，’astospeaksothatwecanunderstandyou？ThePsammeadsaidsomethingaboutRekh—maranotbeingabletolivehere，andifhecan’tgetback——’Shestopped，herheartwasbeatingdesperatelyinherthroat，asitseemed。
　　’Nobodycancontinuetoliveinalandandinatimenotappointed，’saidthevoiceofglorioussweetness。’Butasoulmaylive，ifinthatothertimeandlandtherebefoundasoulsoakintoitastoofferitrefuge，inthebodyofthatlandandtime，thatthustheytwomaybeonesoulinonebody。’
　　Thechildrenexchangeddiscouragedglances。ButtheeyesofRekh—maraandthelearnedgentlemanmet，andwerekindtoeachother，andpromisedeachothermanythings，secretandsacredandverybeautiful。
　　Antheasawthelook。’Oh，but，’shesaid，withoutatallmeaningtosayit，’dearJimmy’ssoulisn’tatalllikeRekh—mara’s。I’mcertainitisn’t。Idon’twanttoberude，butitISN’T，youknow。DearJimmy’ssoulisasgoodasgold，and——’
　　’NothingthatisnotgoodcanpassbeneaththedoublearchofmyperfectAmulet，’saidthevoice。’Ifbotharewilling，saythewordofPower，andletthetwosoulsbecomeoneforeverandevermore。’
　　’ShallI？’askedJane。
　　’Yes。’
　　’Yes。’
　　ThevoiceswerethoseoftheEgyptianPriestandthelearnedgentleman，andthevoiceswereeager，alive，thrilledwithhopeandthedesireofgreatthings。
　　SoJanetooktheAmuletfromRobertandhelditupbetweenthetwomen，andsaid，forthelasttime，thewordofPower。
　　’UrHekauSetcheh。’
　　TheperfectAmuletgrewintoadoublearch；thetwoarchesleanedtoeachothermakingagreatA。
　　’AstandsforAmen，’whisperedJane；’whathewasapriestof。’
　　’Hush！’breathedAnthea。
　　ThegreatdoublearchglowedinandthroughthegreenlightthathadbeentheresincetheNameofPowerhadfirstbeenspoken——itglowedwithalightmorebrightyetmoresoftthantheotherlight——agloryandsplendourandsweetnessunspeakable。’Come！’
　　criedRekh—mara，holdingouthishands。
　　’Come！’criedthelearnedgentleman，andhealsoheldouthishands。
　　Eachmovedforwardundertheglowing，gloriousarchoftheperfectAmulet。
　　ThenRekh—maraquaveredandshook，andassteelisdrawntoamagnethewasdrawn，underthearchofmagic，nearerandnearertothelearnedgentleman。And，asonedropofwatermingleswithanother，whenthewindow—glassisrain—wrinkled，asonequick—silverbeadisdrawntoanotherquick—silverbead，Rekh—mara，DivineFatheroftheTempleofAmen—Ra，wasdrawninto，slippedinto，disappearedinto，andwasonewithJimmy，thegood，thebeloved，thelearnedgentleman。
　　AndsuddenlyitwasgooddaylightandtheDecembersunshone。
　　Thefoghaspassedawaylikeadream。
　　TheAmuletwasthere——littleandcompleteinjane’shand，andthereweretheotherchildrenandthePsammead，andthelearnedgentleman。ButRekh—mara——orthebodyofRekh—mara——wasnotthereanymore。Asforhissoul……
　　’Oh，thehorridthing！’criedRobert，andputhisfootonacentipedeaslongasyourfinger，thatcrawledandwriggledandsquirmedatthelearnedgentleman’sfeet。
　　’THAT，’saidthePsammead，’WAStheevilinthesoulofRekh—mara。’
　　Therewasadeepsilence。
　　’ThenRekh—mara’sHIMnow？’saidJaneatlast。
　　’AllthatwasgoodinRekh—mara，’saidthePsammead。
　　’HEoughttohavehisheart’sdesire，too，’saidAnthea，inasortofstubborngentleness。
　　’HISheart’sdesire，’saidthePsammead，’istheperfectAmuletyouholdinyourhand。Yes——andhasbeeneversincehefirstsawthebrokenhalfofit。’
　　’We’vegotours，’saidAntheasoftly。
　　’Yes，’saidthePsammead——itsvoicewascrosserthantheyhadeverheardit——’yourparentsarecominghome。Andwhat’stobecomeofME？Ishallbefoundout，andmadeashowof，anddegradedineverypossibleway。IKNOWthey’llmakemegointoParliament——hatefulplace——allmudandnosand。ThatbeautifulBaalbectempleinthedesert！Plentyofgoodsandthere，andnopolitics！IwishIwerethere，safeinthePast——thatIdo。’
　　’Iwishyouwere，’saidthelearnedgentlemanabsently，yetpoliteasever。
　　ThePsammeadswelleditselfup，turneditslongsnail’seyesinonelastlingeringlookatAnthea——alovinglook，shealwayssaid，andthought——and——vanished。
　　’Well，’saidAnthea，afterasilence，’Isupposeit’shappy。TheonlythingiteverdidreallycareforwasSAND。’
　　’Mydearchildren，’saidthelearnedgentleman，’Imusthavefallenasleep。I’vehadthemostextraordinarydream。’
　　’Ihopeitwasaniceone，’saidCyrilwithcourtesy。
　　’Yes……Ifeelanewmanafterit。Absolutelyanewman。’
　　Therewasaringatthefront—doorbell。Theopeningofadoor。
　　Voices。
　　’It’sTHEM！’criedRobert，andathrillranthroughfourhearts。
　　’Here！’criedAnthea，snatchingtheAmuletfromJaneandpressingitintothehandofthelearnedgentleman。’Here——it’syours——yourveryown——apresentfromus，becauseyou’reRekh—maraaswellas……Imean，becauseyou’resuchadear。’
　　Shehuggedhimbrieflybutfervently，andthefoursweptdownthestairstothehall，whereacabmanwasbringinginboxes，andwhere，heavilydisguisedintravellingcloaksandwraps，wastheirhearts’desire——three—fold——Mother，Father，andTheLamb。
　　’Blessme！’saidthelearnedgentleman，leftalone，’blessme！
　　Whatatreasure！Thedearchildren！Itmustbetheiraffectionthathasgivenmetheseluminousapercus。Iseemtoseesomanythingsnow——thingsIneversawbefore！Thedearchildren！Thedear，dearchildren！’