"Merely a suggestion, of course," said Ascobaruch. "Take it or leave it. I shan't be offended. If you know a superior excavation, go to it. But as a sensible man--and I've always maintained that you are the most sensible man in the country--you must see that it would be a solution. Merolchazzar has been a pretty good king, of course. No one denies that. A fair general, no doubt, and a plus-man at lion-hunting. But, after all--look at it fairly--is life all battles and lion-hunting? Isn't there a deeper side? Wouldn't it be better for the country to have some good orthodox fellow who has worshipped Hec all his life, and could be relied on to maintain the old beliefs--wouldn't the fact that a man like that was on the throne be likely to lead to more general prosperity? There are dozens of men of that kind simply waiting to be asked. Let us say, purely for purposes of argument, that you approached _me_. I should reply, 'Unworthy though I know myself to be of such an honour, I can tell you this. If you put me on the throne, you can bet your bottom _pazaza_ that there's one thing that won't suffer, and that is the worship of Hec!' That's the way I feel about it." The High Priest pondered. "O thou of unshuffled features but amiable disposition!" he said, "thy discourse soundeth good to me. Could it be done?" "Could it!" Ascobaruch uttered a hideous laugh. "Could it! Arouse me in the night-watches and ask me! Question me on the matter, having stopped me for that purpose on the public highway! What I would suggest--I'm not dictating, mind you; merely trying to help you out--what I would suggest is that you took that long, sharp knife of yours, the one you use for the sacrifices, and toddled out to the Linx--you're sure to find the King there; and just when he's raising that sacrilegious stick of his over his shoulder----" "O man of infinite wisdom," cried the High Priest, warmly, "verily hast them spoken a fullness of the mouth!" "Is it a wager?" said Ascobaruch. "It is a wager!" said the High Priest. "That's that, then," said Ascobaruch. "Now, I don't want to be mixed up in any unpleasantness, so what I think I'll do while what you might call the preliminaries are being arranged is to go and take a little trip abroad somewhere. The Middle Lakes are pleasant at this time of year. When I come back, it's possible that all the formalities will have been completed, yes?" "Rely on me, by Hec!" said the High Priest grimly, as he fingered his weapon. * * * * * The High Priest was as good as his word. Early on the morrow he made his way to the Linx, and found the King holing-out on the second green. Merolchazzar was in high good humour.