se
to the last means, and told the pharaoh that in one of the Theban
temples, Beroes, the Chaldean, lived in secret. He was the wisest
priest of Babylon a miracle worker without equal.

"For thee, holiness," said Herhor, "that sage is a stranger, and he has
not the right to impart such important advice to the lord of Egypt.
But, O Pharaoh, permit him to look at thee. I am sure that he will find
a medicine to cure thy illness, and in no case will he offend thee by
impious expressions."

The pharaoh yielded this time also to persuasions from his faithful
servitors. And in two days Beroes, summoned in some mysterious way, was
sailing down toward Memphis.

The wise Chaldean, even without examining the pharaoh minutely, gave
this counsel,

"We must find a person in Egypt whose prayers reach the throne of the
Highest. And if this person prays sincerely for the pharaoh, the
sovereign will receive his health and live for long years in strength
again."

On hearing these words the pharaoh looked at the priests surrounding
him, and said,

"I see here holy men in such numbers that, if one of them thinks of me,
I shall be in health again." And he smiled imperceptibly.

"We are all only men," interrupted Beroes; "hence our souls cannot
always rise to the footstool of Him who existed before the ages. But,
holiness, I will use an infallible method by which to find a man whose
prayers have the utmost sincerity, and the highest effect."

"Discover him, so that he may be a friend to me in my last hour of
life," said the pharaoh.

After this favorable answer the Chaldean desired a room with a single
door, and unoccupied. And that same day, one hour before sunset, he
asked that his holiness be borne into that chamber.

At the appointed hour four of the highest priests dressed the pharaoh
in a robe of new linen, pronounced a great prayer above him, this
prayer expelled every evil power absolutely, and seating him in a
litter they bore him to that simple chamber where there was but one
small table.

Beroes was there already, and, looking toward the east, was praying.

When the priests had left the chamber the Chaldean closed the heavy
door, put a purple scarf on his arm and placed a glass globe of black
color on the table before the pharaoh. In his left hand he held a sharp
dagger of Babylonian steel, in his right a staff covered with
mysterious signs, and with that staff he described in the air a circle
about himself and the