"'Thou shalt not kill,' saith your law; tell me then, Issachar, does it
say also that thou shalt hand over a woman to a fate that she chances
to hold to be worse than death? Doubtless it is foolish of her, and we
should not heed such woman's folly. Yet this one has a certain strength
of will, and I question if all the elders of the city will bring her
living to the arms of Ithobal."

"It is nought to me, Metem, if she weds Ithobal, or weds him not, save
that I do not love this heathen man, and surely her temper and her
witcheries would bring ruin on him. What I would have you do is to
prevent her from marrying Aziel; the way I leave to you."

"And what should I be paid for this service, holy Issachar?"

The Jew thought and answered, "A hundred golden shekels."

"Two hundred gold shekels," replied Metem reflectively, "nay, I am sure
you said _two_ hundred, Issachar. At least, I do not work for less, and
it is a small sum enough, seeing that to earn it I must take upon myself
the guilt of severing two loving hearts. But I know well that you are
right, and that this would be an evil marriage for the prince Aziel, and
also for the lady Elissa, who then day by day and year by year must bear
the scourge of your reproaches, Issachar. Therefore I will do my best,
not for the money indeed, but because I see herein a righteous duty. And
now here is parchment, give me the lamp that I may prepare the bond."

"My word is my bond, Phoenician," answered the Levite haughtily.

Metem looked at him. "Doubtless," he said, "but you are old, and this
is--a rough country where accidents chance at times. Still, the thing
would read very ill, and, as you say, your word is your bond. Only
remember, Issachar, two hundred shekels, bearing interest at two shekels
a month. And now you are weary, holy Issachar, with plotting for the
welfare of others, and so am I. Farewell, and good dreams to you."

The Levite watched him go, muttering to himself, "Alas that I should
have fallen to such traffic with a knave, but it is for your sake and
for your soul's sake, O Aziel my son. I pray that Fate be not too strong
for me and you."

*****

For two days from this night Elissa lay almost senseless, and by many
it was thought that she would die. But when Metem saw her on the morning
after she had been wounded, and noted that her arm was but little
swollen, and had not turned black, he announced that she would certainly
live, whatever the doctors o