The physician did not raise his eyes; his face was gloomy and sullen.

Cambyses took the roll of papyrus out of Onuphis’ band, looked at the characters with which it was covered, shook his head, went up to Nebenchari and said: 

“Look at these characters and tell me if it is your father’s writing.”

Nebenchari fell on his knees and raised his hands.

“I ask, did your father paint these signs?”

“I do not know-whether . . .  Indeed . . .”

“I will know the truth.  Yes or no?”

“Yes, my King; but . . .”

“Rise, and be assured of my favor.  Faithfulness to his ruler is the ornament of a subject; but do not forget that I am your king now.  Kassandane tells me, that you are going to undertake a delicate operation to-morrow in order to restore her sight.  Are you not venturing too much?”

“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.”

“By my translation of to-day I have proved, that your deceased consort was the child of Hophra.  Now, our law allows the daughter of a king to succeed to the throne, when there is neither son nor brother living; if she should die childless, her husband becomes her legitimate successor.  Amasis is a usurper, but the throne of Egypt is the lawful birthright of Hophra and his descendants.  Psamtik forfeits every right to the crown the moment that a brother, son, daughter or son-in-law of Hophra appears.  I can, therefore, salute my present sovereign as the future monarch of my own beautiful native land.”

Cambyses smiled self-complacently, and Onuphis went on:  “I have read in the stars too, that Psamtik’s ruin and your own accession to the throne of Egypt have been fore-ordained.”

“We’ll show that the stars were right,” cried the king, “and as for you, you liberal old fellow, I command you to ask me any wish you like.”

“Give me a conveyance, and let me follow your army to Egypt.  I long to close my eyes on the Nile.”

“Your wish is granted.  Now, my friends, leave me, and see that all those who usually eat at my table are present at this evening’s revel.  We will hold a council of war over the luscious wine.  Methinks a campaign in Egypt will pay better than a contest with the Massagetae.”