ive both these
dignitaries graciously, and their suite also."

"Very willingly," answered the prince, "and on that occasion I shall
ask them when Assyria will pay the arrears of tribute?"

"Wouldst Thou do that, worthiness?" asked the priest, looking him in
the eyes.

"That first of all; our treasury needs tribute."

Mentezufis rose suddenly from his seat, and said, in solemn though
lowered accents,

"O viceroy of our lord, and giver of life, in the name of his holiness
I forbid thee to speak with anyone of tribute, but, above all, with
Sargon, Istubar, or any man of their suite."

The prince grew pale.

"Priest," said he, standing up also, "on what basis dost Thou speak to
me as a superior?"

Mentezufis drew aside his robe, and took from his neck a chain on which
was one of the pharaoh's rings.

The viceroy looked at the ring, kissed it with devotion, returned it to
the priest, and answered,

"I will fulfill the command of his holiness, my lord and father."

Again both sat down, and the prince asked the priest,

"Canst Thou explain to me, worthiness, why Assyria should not pay us
tribute which would save the state treasury from embarrassment?"

"Because we have not the power to force Assyria to pay us tribute,"
answered Mentezufis, coldly. "We have an army of a hundred and twenty
thousand, Assyria has three hundred thousand warriors. I say this to
thee, worthiness, in perfect confidence, as to a high state official."

"I understand. But why did the ministry of war, in which Thou servest,
decrease our valiant army sixty thousand men?"

"To increase the income of his holiness twenty thousand talents,"
replied the priest.

"Aha! Tell me, then, worthiness," continued the prince, "with what
object is Sargon going to the feet of the pharaoh?"

"I know not."

"Aha! But why should I not know, I, who am heir to the throne?"

"Because there are state secrets which barely a few dignitaries know."

"And which even my most worthy father may not know?"

"Assuredly he may not, for there are things which even his holiness may
not know, since he does not possess the highest priestly consecration."

"It is wonderful!" said the prince, after some thought. "Egypt is the
property of the pharaoh, and still things may be done in it which are
unknown to him. Explain this to me, worthiness."

"Egypt is first of all, and even only and exclusively, the property of
Amon," said the priest. "There is absolute need, ther