‘I think so. This is your door?’
‘An humble one. Jerusalem is not Bagdad, but you are welcome.’
‘King Pirgandicus[37] entered them,’ said Rabbi Maimon, ‘but no one since.’
‘And when did he live?’ inquired Alroy. ‘His reign is recorded in the Talmud,’ answered Rabbi Zimri, ‘but in the Talmud there are no dates.’ ‘A long while ago?’ asked Alroy. ‘Since the Captivity,’ answered Rabbi Maimon. ‘I doubt that,’ said Rabbi Zimri, ‘or why should he be called king?’
‘Was he of the house of David?’ said Alroy.
‘Without doubt,’ said Rabbi Maimon; ‘he was one of our greatest kings, and conquered Julius Caesar.‘[38]
‘His kingdom was in the northernmost parts of Africa,’ said Rabbi Zimri, ‘and exists to this day, if we could but find it.’
‘Ay, truly,’ added Rabbi Maimon, ‘the sceptre has never departed out of Judah; and he rode always upon a white elephant.’
‘Covered with cloth of gold,’ added Rabbi Zimri. ‘And he visited the Tombs of the Kings?’[39] inquired Alroy.
‘Without doubt,’ said Rabbi Maimon. ‘The whole account is in the Talmud.’