counsel of the gods?"

Tutmosis turned on the stool.

"The Phoenicians," said he, "are alarmed; they are even crushed by the
news."

"About what?"

"Some one has spread the report, worthiness, that when Thou shalt mount
the throne all Phoenicians will be expelled and their property
confiscated."

"Well, they have time enough before that," laughed Ramses.

Tutmosis hesitated further. "They say," continued he, in a lowered
voice, "that in recent days the health of his holiness may he live
through eternity! has failed notably."

"That is untrue!" interrupted the prince, in alarm. "I should know of
it."

"But the priests are performing religious services in secret for the
return of health to the pharaoh. I know this to a certainty.'"'

The prince was astonished.

"How! my father seriously ill, the priests are praying for him, but
tell me nothing?"

"They say that the illness of his holiness may last a year."

"Oh, Thou hearest fables and art disturbing me. Better tell me about
the Phoenicians."

"I have heard," said Tutmosis, "only what every one has heard, that
while in the temple Thou wert convinced of the harm done by
Phoenicians, and didst bind thyself to expel them."

"In the temple?" repeated the heir. "But who knows what that is of
which I convinced myself in the temple, and what I decided to do?"

Tutmosis shrugged his shoulders, and was silent.

"Was there treason, too, in the temple?" thought the prince. "Summon
Dagon in every case," said he, aloud. "I must know the source of these
lies, and by the gods, I will end them."

"Thou wilt do well, for all Egypt is frightened. Even today there is no
one to lend money, and if those reports continue all commerce will
cease. Our aristocracy have fallen into trouble from which none see the
issue, and even thy court is in want. A month hence the same thing may
happen in the palace of his holiness."

"Silence!" interrupted the prince, "and call Dagon this moment."

Tutmosis ran out, but the banker appeared no earlier than evening.
Around a white mantle he wore a black belt.

"Hast Thou gone mad?" cried the heir, at sight of this. "I will drive
off thy sadness immediately. I need a hundred talents at once. Go, and
show thyself not till Thou bring them."

The banker covered his face and wept.

"What does this mean?" asked the prince, quickly.

"Lord," exclaimed Dagon, as he fell on his knees, "seize all my
property, sell me and my family. Take ev