if you consider it necessary.  Other men have attempted to redistribute the divisions and devise new modes of collecting the revenue.  The best scheme will have the preference; and you seem to me to be the man to win the prize, and, with it, a wide and noble field of work in the future.  It is not a mere sense of tedium, or a longing for the pleasures of the capital to which you are accustomed, that are tempting you to quit Memphis the melancholy. . . .”

“No, indeed, my Lord,” Orion assured him.  “The duty I have in view does not even profit me, and if I had not given my word I would throw myself, heart and soul, into so grand a task, no later than to-morrow.  That you should expect me to solve so hard a problem is the most precious incense ever offered me.  If it is only to be worthy of your confidence, I will return as soon as possible and put forth my utmost powers of intelligence and prudence, of endurance and patriotism.  I have always been a diligent student; and it would be a shame indeed, if my experiences as a youth could hinder the man from outdoing the school-boy.”

“That is right, well said!” replied Amru, holding out his hand.  “Do your best, and you shall have ample opportunity of proving your powers.—­Take my warnings to heart as regards the patriarch and the black Vekeel.  I unfortunately have no one who could fill his place except the worthy Kadi Othman; but he is no soldier, and he cannot be spared from his post.  Keep out of Obada’s way, return soon, and may the All-merciful protect you. . . . "

When Orion had recrossed the bridge on his way home, he saw a gaily-dressed Nile-boat, such as now but rarely stopped at Memphis, lying at anchor in the dock, and on the road he met two litters followed by beasts of burden and a train of servants.  The whole party had a brilliant and wealthy appearance, and at any other time would have roused his curiosity; but to-day he merely wondered for a moment who these new-comers might be, and then continued to meditate on the task proposed to him by Amru.  From the bottom of his heart he cursed the hour in which he had pledged himself to take the part of these strangers; for after such long idleness he longed to be able to prove his powers.  Suddenly, and as if by a miracle, he saw the way opened before him which he had himself hoped to tread, and now he was fettered and held back from an enterprise which he felt he could carry out with success and benefit to his country, while it attracted him as with a hundred lode-stones.

Next morning, when his will had been duly signed and witnessed, he called the treasurer for an interview alone with him.  He had made up his mind that one person, at least, must be informed of the enterprise he had planned, and that one could be no other than Nilus.  So he begged him to accompany him to the impluvium of his private residence; and several office scribes who were present heard the invitation given.  They did not, however, allow themselves to be disturbed