ards of my troops, that I will
tell no man."

"Enough," said Hiram.

"I am listening."

"Does the prince know what is happening at this moment in Phoenicia?"

"I know nothing of that, even," interrupted the irritated viceroy.

"Our ships," whispered Hiram, "are coming home from all parts of the
earth to convey at the first signal our people and treasures to some
place beyond the sea to the west."

"Why?" asked the astounded viceroy.

"Because Assyria is to take us under her dominion."

"Thou hast gone mad, worthy man!" exclaimed Ramses. "Assyria to take
Phoenicia! But we? Egypt what would we say to that?"

"Egypt has consented already."

Blood rushed to the prince's head.

"The heat has disturbed thy mind, aged man," said he, in a calm voice.
"Thou hast forgotten, even, that such an affair could not take place
without the pharaoh's permission and mine."

"That will follow. Meanwhile the priests have concluded a treaty."

"With whom? What priests?"

"With Beroes, the high priest of Chaldea, at commission of King Assar,"
said Hiram. "And who from your side? I will not state to a certainty.
But it seems to me that his worthiness Herhor, his worthiness Mefres,
and the holy prophet Pentuer."

The prince became pale.

"Consider, Phoenician," said he, "that Thou art accusing of treason the
highest dignitaries of Egypt."

"Thou art mistaken, prince, this is no treason: the high priest of
Egypt and the minister of his holiness have the right to make treaties
with neighboring states. Besides, how dost Thou know, worthiness, that
all this is not done with consent of the pharaoh?"

Ramses was obliged to confess in his soul that such a treaty would not
be treason, but disregard toward him, the erpatr.

So then the priests treated him in this way, him who might be the
pharaoh a year hence? That is why Pentuer criticized war, and Mefres
supported him.

"When could that have happened, and where?" asked the prince.

"Very likely they concluded the treaty at night in the temple of Set at
Memphis," answered Hiram. "And when? I know not exactly, but it seems
to me that it took place when Thou wert setting out from Memphis."

"The wretches!" thought the viceroy. "That is how they respect my
position! Some kind god made me doubt in the temple of Hator."

After a time of internal conflict he added,

"Impossible! I shall not believe till proof be given."

"Proof there will be," replied Hiram. "One of these days