omes. The boy there shall
fetch me victuals as an old sparrow feeds his young; and if necessary I
will lie here for a week, like the little sardines they preserve in oil
at Alexandria."

"I hope you will have only a few hours to wait; but I must go, for I am
planning a rare surprise for King Euergetes on his birthday, and must
go to the palace. The festival is already in full swing. Only listen how
they are shouting and calling down by the harbor; I fancy I can hear the
name of Euergetes."

"Present my compliments to the fat monster! May we meet again
soon--brother-in-law!"

CHAPTER XXV.

King Euergetes was pacing restlessly up and down the lofty room which
his brother had furnished with particular magnificence to be his
reception-room. Hardly had the sun risen on the morning of his birthday
when he had betaken himself to the temple of Ptah with a numerous
suite--before his brother Philometor could set out--in order to
sacrifice there, to win the good graces of the high-priest of the
sanctuary, and to question of the oracle of Apis. All had fallen out
well, for the sacred bull had eaten out of his hand; and yet he would
have been more glad--though it should have disdained the cake he offered
it, if only Eulaeus had brought him the news that the plot against the
Roman's life had been successful.

Gift after gift, addresses of congratulation from every district of the
country, priestly decrees drawn up in his honor and engraved on tablets
of hard stone, lay on every table or leaned against the walls of the
vast ball which the guests had just quitted. Only Hierax, the king's
friend, remained with him, supporting himself, while he waited for some
sign from his sovereign, on a high throne made of gold and ivory and
richly decorated with gems, which had been sent to the king by the
Jewish community of Alexandria.

The great commander knew his master well and knew too that it was not
prudent to address him when he looked as he did now. But Euergetes
himself was aware of the need for speech, and he began, without pausing
in his walk or looking at his dignified friend:

"Even the Philobasilistes have proved corrupt; my soldiers in the
citadel are more numerous and are better men too than those that have
remained faithful to Philometor, and there ought to be nothing more for
me to do but to stir up a brief clatter of swords on shields, to spring
upon the throne, and to have myself proclaimed king; but I will never