n a
certain day he would lodge in a particular house, "because," said they,
"there is no other fit for his reception. Let us then agree with the
master of that house, and his wife, for a sum of money to kill the
emperor as he lies in bed."

This was agreed to.

But when the emperor had come into the city, and had been lodged in the
house to which the conspirators referred, he commanded his host to be
called into his presence. Observing that he was an old man, the emperor
said, "Have you not a wife?"

"Yes, my lord."

"I wish to see her."

The lady came; and when it appeared that she was very young--not
eighteen years of age--the king said hastily to his chamberlain, "Away,
prepare me a bed in another house. I will remain here no longer."

"My lord," replied he, "be it as you please. But they have made
everything ready for you: were it not better to lie where you are, for
in the whole city there is not so commodious a place."

"I tell you," answered the emperor, "I will sleep elsewhere."

The chamberlain, therefore, removed; and the king went privately to
another residence, saying to the soldiers about him, "Remain here, if
you like; but join me early in the morning."

Now while they slept, the old man and his wife arose, and not finding
the king, put to death all the soldiers who had remained. In the
morning, when the murder was discovered, the emperor gave thanks to God
for his escape. "Oh," cried he, "if I had continued here, I should have
been destroyed. So the third maxim hath also preserved me."

But the old man and his wife, with the whole of their family, were
crucified. The emperor retained the three maxims in memory during life,
and ended his days in peace.

XVII.--A LOAF FOR A DREAM.

There were once three friends who agreed to make a pilgrimage together.
It happened that their provisions fell short, and having but one loaf
between them, they were nearly famished.

"Should this loaf," they said to each other, "be divided amongst us,
there will not be enough for any one. Let us then take counsel
together, and consider how the bread is to be disposed of."

"Suppose we sleep upon the way," replied one of them; "and whosoever
hath the most wonderful dream shall possess the loaf."

The other two acquiesced, and settled themselves to sleep.

But he who gave the advice, arose while they were sleeping, and ate up
the bread, not leaving a single crumb for his companions. When he had
finishe