I have lived in vain; the wretches have burnt me in burning my works.  O my books, my books!” And he sobbed aloud in his agony.  Phanes came up and took his band, saying:  “The Egyptians have struck you, my friend, but me they have maltreated and abused—­thieves have broken into your granaries, but my hearth and home have been burnt to ashes by incendiaries.  Do you know, man, what I have had to suffer at their hands?  In persecuting me, and driving me out of Egypt, they only did what they had a right to do; by their law I was a condemned man; and I could have forgiven all they did to me personally, for I loved Amasis, as a man loves his friend.  The wretch knew that, and yet he suffered them to commit a monstrous, an incredible act—­an act that a man’s brain refuses to take in.  They stole like wolves by night into a helpless woman’s house—­they seized my children, a girl and boy, the pride, the joy and comfort of my homeless, wandering life.  And how think you, did they treat them?  The girl they kept in confinement, on the pretext that by so doing they should prevent me from betraying Egypt to Cambyses.  But the boy—­my beautiful, gentle boy—­my only son—­has been murdered by Psamtik’s orders, and possibly with the knowledge of Amasis.  My heart was withered and shrunk with exile and sorrow, but I feel that it expands—­it beats more joyfully now that there is a hope of vengeance.”

Nebenchari’s sullen but burning glance met the flashing eye of the Athenian as he finished his tale; he gave him his hand and said:  “We are allies.”

The Greek clasped the offered hand and answered:  “Our first point now is to make sure of the king’s favor.”

“I will restore Kassandane’s sight.”

“Is that in your power?”

“The operation which removed Amasis’ blindness was my own discovery.  Petammon stole it from my burnt papers.”

“Why did you not exert your skill earlier?”

“Because I am not accustomed to bestow presents on my enemies.”

Phanes shuddered slightly at these words, recovered himself, however, in a moment, and said:  “And I am certain of the king’s favor too.  The Massagetan envoys have gone home to-day; peace has been granted them and. . . .”

While he was speaking the door was burst open and one of Kassandane’s eunuchs rushed into the room crying:  “The Princess Nitetis is dying!  Follow me at once, there is not a moment to lose.”

The physician made a parting sign to his confederate, and followed the eunuch to the dying-bed of the royal bride.

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