"I guarantee that Phoenicians will not touch Kama, and will pursue the
Greek. But what is to be done with the other adherents of Astaroth?"
"I make bold to think," said the chief, "that nothing threatens this woman at present. If she had courage, we might employ her to decoy the Greek, and seize him here in thy palaces, O Erpatr."
"Then go to her," said the prince, "and lay before her whatever plan Thou mayst think out. And if Thou seize the man, I will give thee ten talents."
When the heir left them, Hiram said to the chief,
"Dignitary, I am aware that Thou knowest both kinds of writing, and that the wisdom of priests is not strange to thee. When Thou hast the wish, Thou art able to hear through walls and see things in darkness. For this reason Thou knowest the thoughts of the man who works with a bucket, the laborer, the artisan who takes sandals to market, the great lord who in the escort of his servants feels as safe as a child on the bosom of its mother."
"Thou speakest truth," replied the official. "The gods have given me a wonderful gift of clear insight."
"That is it; thanks to thy gifts, Thou hast guessed beyond doubt that the temple of Astaroth will appoint to thee twenty talents if Thou seize that wretch who dares assume the appearance of the prince, our viceroy. Besides, in every case, the temple offers thee ten talents if news of the likeness of the wretched Lykon to the heir is not reported throughout Egypt; for it is offensive and improper that an ordinary mortal should recall by his features a personage descended from divinity."
"Therefore let not that which Thou hearest of the wretched Lykon go beyond our own hearts, nor any word touching our chase after that godless outcast."
"I understand," replied the official. "It may even happen that such a criminal may lose his life before we can give him to the court."
"Thou hast said it," replied Hiram, pressing his hand; "and every help asked by thee of Phoenicians will be furnished."