"Typhon has possessed thee, O man of Harran!" cried he. "If anything of that sort happened in my house with an Egyptian priestess, they would drive me out of the city. Here it is permissible to receive only foreign women."
"In that case I will go to her," answered Phut, "for she is a wise and devout person, and has told me of many happenings. After sunset Thou wilt give me a guide, so that I may not go astray."
"All the evil spirits have entered thy heart," said Asarhadon. "Dost Thou know that this acquaintance will cost thee two hundred drachmas, perhaps three hundred, not counting that which Thou must give the servants and the sanctuary. For such a sum, or say five hundred drachmas, Thou mayst make the acquaintance of a young and virtuous woman, my daughter, who is now fourteen years of age, and like a prudent girl is collecting for herself a dowry. Do not wander in the night through a strange city, for Thou wilt fall into the hands of the police or of thieves, but make use of that which the gods give thee at home. Dost Thou wish?"
"But will thy daughter go with me to Harran?" inquired Phut.
The innkeeper looked at him with astonishment. All at once he struck his forehead, as if he had divined a secret, and seizing the traveler by the hand, he drew him to a quieter place at the window.
"I know all," whispered he, excitedly. "Thou art dealing in women. But remember that for taking away one Egyptian woman Thou mayst lose thy property and go to the quarries. But perhaps Thou wilt take me into thy company, for here I know every road."
"In that case show me the road to the priestess," said Phut. "Remember that after sunset Thou art to have a guide for me, and to-morrow my bags and casket, otherwise I shall complain to the court."
Then Phut left the gallery and went to his chamber on a higher story.
Asarhadon with anger approached a table at which Phoenician merchants were drinking, and called aside one of them named Kush.
"Thou bringest beautiful guests to me!" said he, unable to restrain the quivering of his voice. "That Phut eats almost nothing, and now, as if to insult my house, he is going out to an Egyptian dancer instead of giving presents to my women."