He drew from the breast of his tunic two small rolls of fine linen, with writing upon them, and unfolded them carefully upon his knee.

“In the years that are lost in the past, long before our fathers came into the land of Babylon, there were wise men in Chaldea, from whom the first of the Magi learned the secret of the heavens.  And of these Balaam the son of Beor was one of the mightiest.  Hear the words of his prophecy:  ’There shall come a star out of Jacob, and a sceptre shall arise out of Israel.’”

The lips of Tigranes drew downward with contempt, as he said: 

“Judah was a captive by the waters of Babylon, and the sons of Jacob were in bondage to our kings.  The tribes of Israel are scattered through the mountains like lost sheep, and from the remnant that dwells in Judea under the yoke of Rome neither star nor sceptre shall arise.”

“And yet,” answered Artaban, “it was the Hebrew Daniel, the mighty searcher of dreams, the counsellor of kings, the wise Belteshazzar, who was most honoured and beloved of our great King Cyrus.  A prophet of sure things and a reader of the thoughts of God, Daniel proved himself to our people.  And these are the words that he wrote.” (Artaban read from the second roll:) “’Know, therefore, and understand that from the going forth of the commandment to restore Jerusalem, unto the Anointed One, the Prince, the time shall be seven and threescore and two weeks.’”

“But, my son,” said Abgarus, doubtfully, “these are mystical numbers.  Who can interpret them, or who can find the key that shall unlock their meaning?”

Artaban answered:  “It has been shown to me and to my three companions among the Magi—­Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar.  We have searched the ancient tablets of Chaldea and computed the time.  It falls in this year.  We have studied the sky, and in the spring of the year we saw two of the greatest stars draw near together in the sign of the Fish, which is the house of the Hebrews.  We also saw a new star there, which shone for one night and then vanished.  Now again the two great planets are meeting.  This night is their conjunction.  My three brothers are watching at the ancient Temple of the Seven Spheres, at Borsippa, in Babylonia, and I am watching here.  If the star shines again, they will wait ten days for me at the temple, and then we will set out together for Jerusalem, to see and worship the promised one who shall be born King of Israel.  I believe the sign will come.  I have made ready for the journey.  I have sold my house and my possessions, and bought these three jewels—­a sapphire, a ruby, and a pearl—­to carry them as tribute to the King.  And I ask you to go with me on the pilgrimage, that we may have joy together in finding the Prince who is worthy to be served.”

While he was speaking he thrust his hand into the inmost fold of his girdle and drew out three great gems—­one blue as a fragment of the night sky, one redder than a ray of sunrise, and one as pure as the peak of a snow mountain at twilight—­and laid them on the out-spread linen scrolls before him.