live at the cost of the
treasury."

The pharaoh grew thoughtful.

"We must," said he, "make a new loan. Come to an understanding with
Herhor and Mefres, so that the temples may lend to us."

"I have spoken with them. The temples will lend us nothing."

"The prophets are offended," said the pharaoh, smiling. "In that case
we must call in unbelievers. Send to me Dagon."

Toward evening the pharaoh's banker came. He fell on the pavement
before Ramses and offered him a golden goblet set with jewels.

"Now I can die!" said Dagon, "since my most gracious sovereign has
mounted the throne."

"But before thy death, find me a few thousand talents," said his
holiness to the kneeling banker.

The Phoenician was alarmed. Could he feign great embarrassment?

"Rather command me, holiness, to seek pearls in the Nile, for I shall
perish at once, and my lord will not suspect me of ill-will toward him.
But to find such a sum today!"

Ramses XIII was astounded.

"How is this?" inquired he. "Then have the Phoenicians no money for
me?"

"Our blood, our lives, our children we will give thee, holiness. But
money where can we find it?

"Formerly the temples gave us loans at fifteen or twenty per cent
yearly, but since, as heir to the throne, Thou wert in the temple of
Hator at Pi-Bast the priests have refused us every credit.

"If they could they would expel us from Egypt, or, more gladly, they
would destroy us. Ah, what we suffer because of them. The earth-tillers
do what they like and whenever they like. As rent they give us what
drops from their noses. If we strike one of them they rebel to the last
man, and if an unfortunate Phoenician goes for redress to a court he
either loses his case or pays terribly.

"Our hours in this land are numbered," wailed Dagon.

The pharaoh frowned.

"I will take up these matters," answered he, "and the courts will give
thee justice. Meanwhile, I need about five thousand talents."

"Where shall we get them, O lord?" groaned out Dagon. "Find us
purchasers, holiness, and we will sell all our property movable and
immovable, only to carry out thy commands. But where are the
purchasers? There are none except the priests, who would value our
property at a trifle, and then not pay ready money."

"Send to Tyre, to Sidon," interrupted Ramses. "Each of those cities
might lend, not five, but a hundred thousand talents."

"Tyre and Sidon!" repeated Dagon. "Today all Phoenicia is collecting
gold