p; I know also his
holiness, thy father may he live through eternity! and I will even try
to lay before him my homage, if I be permitted."

"Whence could a doubt arise?" interrupted the prince.

"There are persons," replied the guest, "who admit some to the face of
the pharaoh and refuse others but never mind them. Thou art not to
blame for this; hence I venture to lay before thee one question, as an
old friend of thy father and his father."

"I am listening."

"What means it," asked Hiram, slowly, "that the heir to the throne and
a viceroy must borrow a hundred talents when more than a hundred
thousand are due Egypt?"

"Whence?" cried Ramses.

"From the tribute of Asiatic peoples. Phoenicia owes five thousand;
well, Phoenicia will pay, I guarantee that, unless some events happen.
But, besides, Israel owes three thousand, the Philistines and the
Moabites each two thousand, the Hittites thirty thousand. Finally, I do
not remember details, but I know that the total reaches a hundred and
three or a hundred and five thousand talents."

Ramses gnawed his lips, but on his vivacious countenance helpless anger
was evident. He dropped his eyes and was silent.

"It is true," said Hiram, on a sudden, and looking sharply at the
viceroy. "Poor Phoenicia but also Egypt."

"What dost Thou say?" asked the prince, frowning. "I understand not thy
questions."

"Prince, Thou knowest what it is of which I speak, since Thou dost not
answer my question," replied Hiram; and he rose as if to withdraw.
"Still, I withdraw not my promise. Thou wilt receive a hundred
talents."

He made a low bow, but the viceroy forced him to sit down again.

"Thou art hiding something," said Ramses, in a voice in which offence
was evident. "I would hear thee explain what danger threatens Egypt or
Phoenicia."

"Hast Thou not heard?" asked Hiram, with hesitation.

"I know nothing. I have passed more than a month in the temple."

"That is just the place in which to learn everything."

"Tell me, worthiness," said the viceroy, striking the table with his
fist. "I am not pleased when men are amused at my expense."

"Give a great promise not to betray me to any one and I will tell,
though I cannot believe that they have not informed the heir of this."

"Dost Thou not trust me?" asked the astonished prince.

"In this affair I should require a promise from the pharaoh himself,"
answered Hiram, with decision.

"If I swear on my sword, and the stand