"I can depend on my own skill, my Sovereign."
"One more question. Did you know of this fraud?"
"Yes."
"And you allowed me to remain in error?"
"I had been compelled to swear secrecy and an oath . . ."
"An oath is sacred. Gobryas, see that both these Egyptians receive a portion from my table. Old man, you seem to require better food."
"I need nothing beyond air to breathe, a morsel of bread and a draught of water to preserve me from dying of hunger and thirst, a clean robe, that I may be pleasing in the eyes of the gods and in my own, and a small chamber for myself, that I may be a hindrance to no man. I have never been richer than to-day."
"How so?"
"I am about to give away a kingdom."
"You speak in enigmas."