Ramses.

"In my opinion, they are men of weak heads whom Beroes, the great
Chaldean priest, frightened. He told them that for ten years evil fates
would threaten Egypt; that if we began war with Assyria during that
time we should be defeated."

"And did they believe him?"

"Beroes, it seems, showed them wonders. He was even borne above the
earth. Beyond doubt that is wonderful; but I cannot understand why we
should lose Phoenicia because Beroes can fly above the earth."

"Then Thou dost not believe in miracles?"

"It depends upon what they are," replied Samentu. "It seems that Beroes
does perform unusual things; but our priests merely deceive people as
well as rulers."

"Thou hast a hatred for the priestly order?"

"Well, they cannot endure me, and what is worse they insult me under
pretext that I am a minister of Set. Meanwhile, what do I care for gods
whose hands and feet must be moved by strings. Or priests who pretend
to be abstemious and devout, but have ten wives, spend some tens of
talents yearly, steal the offerings placed on altars, and are little
wiser than pupils of a higher school."

"But dost Thou take presents from Phoenicians?"'

"From whom should I take them? The Phoenicians are the only men who
really honor Set; they fear lest he might wreck their ships. With us
the poor alone revere him. Were I restricted to their offerings I
should die of hunger, and my children also."

The pharaoh thought that this priest was not a bad man, though he had
betrayed a temple secret. And moreover, he seemed wise and he spoke
truth.

"Hast Thou heard anything," inquired Ramses again, "of a canal which is
to join the Red Sea with the Mediterranean?"

"I know of that affair. Our engineers have been developing the project
for some centuries."

"But why has it not been carried out ere this time?"

"Because the priests are afraid that strangers would come who might
undermine our religion, and with it the priestly income."

"Is there truth in what Hiram says of people living in the distant
East?"

"Perfect truth. We know of them for a long time, and no ten years pass
that we do not receive from those countries products, precious stones,
or pictures."

The pharaoh meditated again, and asked suddenly,

"Wilt Thou serve me faithfully if I make thee my counselor?"

"I will serve thee, holiness, with life and death. But were I to become
thy counselor, the priests, who hate me, would be indignant."

"Dost