“No--not exactly--but...” “I always thought you were a man to be trusted.” “So I was. But this Greek knows already a great deal of what I know, and the rest...” “Well?” “The rest he got out of me, I hardly know how myself. If I did not wear this amulet against an evil eye, I should have been obliged...” “Yes, yes, I know the Athenian--I can forgive you. I should like him to come with you this evening. But I see the sun is already high in the heavens. I have no time to lose. Tell me in a few words what has happened.” “I thought this evening...” “No, I must have at least a general idea of what has happened before I see the Athenian. Be brief.” “You have been robbed!” “Is that all?” “Is not that enough?” “Answer me. Is that all?” “Yes!” “Then farewell.” “But Nebenchari!” The physician did not even hear this exclamation; the gates of the harem had already closed behind him. When the Pleiades had risen, Nebenchari was to be found seated alone in one of the magnificent rooms assigned to his use on the eastern side of the palace, near to Kassandane’s apartments. The friendly manner in which he had welcomed his old servant had given place to the serious expression which his face usually wore, and which had led the cheerful Persians to call him a morose and gloomy man. Nebenchari was an Egyptian priest through and through; a member of that caste which never indulged in a jest, and never for a moment forgot to be dignified and solemn before the public; but when among their relations and their colleagues completely threw off this self-imposed restraint, and gave way at times even to exuberant mirth. Though he had known Phanes in Sais, he received him with cold politeness, and, after the first greeting was ended, told Hib to leave them alone. “I have come to you,” said the Athenian, “to speak about some very important affairs.” “With which I am already acquainted,” was the Egyptian’s curt reply. “I am inclined to doubt that,” said Phanes with an incredulous smile. “You have been driven out of Egypt, persecuted and insulted by Psamtik, and you have come to Persia to enlist Cambyses as an instrument of revenge against my country.” “You are mistaken. I have nothing against your country, but all the more against Amasis and his house. In Egypt the state and the king are one, as you very well know.” “On the contrary, my own observations have led me to think that the priests considered themselves one with the state.” “In that case you are better informed than I, who have always looked on the kings of Egypt as absolute. So they are; but only in proportion as they know how to emancipate themselves from the influence of your caste.--Amasis himself submits to the priests now.” “Strange intelligence!” “With which, however, you have already long been made acquainted.” “Is that your opinion?”