"But who will assure me to-day that the priests are not striving to overthrow the throne, as Hiram said? Even my father informed me that the Phœnicians are most truthful wherever they have an interest to be so. Assuredly it is their interest not to be expelled from Egypt, and not to fall under the power of Assyria. The Assyrians are a herd of raging lions! Wherever they pass through a country nothing is left except ruins and dead bodies, as after a fire--" All at once Rameses raised his head; from a distance came the sound of flutes and horns. "What does this mean?" inquired he of Tutmosis. "Great news!" replied the courtier, with a smile. "The Asiatics are welcoming a famous pilgrim from Babylon." "From Babylon? Who is he?" "His name is Sargon." "Sargon?" repeated the prince. "Sargon? Ha! ha!" laughed the prince. "What is he?" "He must be a great dignitary at the court of King Assar. He brings with him ten elephants, a herd of most beautiful steeds of the desert, crowds of slaves and servants." "But why has he come?" "To bow down before the wonderful goddess Astaroth, who is honored by all Asia," answered Tutmosis. "Ha! ha! ha!" laughed the prince, recalling what Hiram had said of the coming of the Assyrian ambassador, Sargon. "Ha! ha! ha! Sargon, a relative of King Assar, has become all at once such a devotee that for whole months he goes on a difficult journey only to do honor in Pi-Bast to the goddess Astaroth. But in Nineveh he could have found greater gods and more learned priests. Ha! ha! ha!" Tutmosis looked at the prince with astonishment. "What has happened to thee, Erpatr?" asked he. "Here is a miracle not described, I think, in the chronicles of any temple. But think, Tutmosis: When thou art most occupied with the problem of catching the thief who is always plundering thee, that same thief puts his hand again into thy casket before thy eyes, in presence of a thousand witnesses. Ha! ha! ha! Sargon, a pious pilgrim!" "I understand nothing," whispered Tutmosis, in anxiety. "And thou hast no need to understand," replied the viceroy. "Remember only that Sargon has come hither for devotional purposes." "It seems to me that everything of which thou art speaking," said Tutmosis, lowering his voice, "is very dangerous." "Then do not mention it to any one." "I will not; but art thou sure that thou thyself, prince, wilt not betray the secret? Thou art as quick as lightning." The prince placed his hand on the courtier's shoulder. "Be at rest," said he, looking him in the eyes. "If ye will only be loyal to me, ye, the nobles, and the army, ye will see wonderful things, and, as regards you, evil times will be ended." "Thou knowest that we are ready to die at thy command," said Tutmosis, placing his hand on his breast.