“He is.”
“Has he the face of Moses, and the bearing of a king?”
“So it is said.”
“Is it not he who on the last Sabbath defended our synagogue from sacrilege?”
“It is.”
“Then,” said the peddler, “I will do what the lady asks of me—not for her rewards, though Father Abraham knows that I am poor enough. I will do it for the young man’s sake, who can beat the heathen at their own weapons. I can beat them in trade; but it is a satisfaction to me to see them beaten after another fashion.”
“Have you ever been at the palace?” inquired Rachel.
“Often, in the way of trade. An old Egyptian and his wife, a Jewess, keep the place when the governor is not there, and are employed about the premises in some way at all times.”
“Here is a purse of gold. Make up your pack as attractive to these people as possible. Stay with them as long as you can. Be ingenious. Keep eyes and ears open. Spare no money nor promises that will help your object. I will see that your promises are fulfilled. Take the first boat going south; be put ashore at a little distance from the palace; then do the best an ingenious man can, to find out whether Aleph, the Chaldean, is confined there, and, if so, how he may be released. Return or send as soon as possible. But stop——”