"Why dost Thou steal in thus, worthiness?" inquired Ramses. "Is my palace a prison, or a house of lepers?"
"Ah, our sovereign!" sighed the old Phoenician. "Since Thou hast become lord of Egypt the criminals are those who dare to see thee and not give account of what Thou art pleased to tell them."
"To whom must ye repeat my words?" inquired the pharaoh.
Hiram raised his eyes and hands to heaven.
"Holiness, thou knowest thy enemies," said he.
"Thou knowest, worthiness, why I have summoned thee. I wish to borrow a few thousand talents."
Hiram made a hissing noise through his teeth, so that the pharaoh permitted him to sit in his presence, which was the highest honor. When he had disposed himself comfortably and rested, Hiram said,
"Why shouldst Thou borrow, holiness, when Thou mayst have a rich treasury?"
"I know, when I shall get Nineveh," interrupted Ramses. "That time is distant and I need money this day."
"I speak not of war," answered Hiram; "I speak of an affair which would bring large sums to the treasury immediately, and a permanent yearly income."