The prince desired to tell Mentezufis the reason of Istubar's coming, but he bit his lips and was silent.
"The renowned Istubar," continued the priest, "has brought documents in virtue of which the worthy Sargon, a satrap, and a relative of King Assar, remains with us as ambassador of that mighty sovereign."
The prince was near bursting into laughter. The seriousness with which Mentezufis had thought fit to lay bare a small part of the secrets long known to Ramses filled him with contempt and delight also.
"This trickster," thought the prince, "has not an inkling in his heart that I know all their villainy."
"The worthy Sargon and the revered Istubar," continued Mentezufis, "will go to Memphis to kiss the feet of his holiness. But first, worthiness, thou, as viceroy, wilt be pleased to receive 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."