"If the king 5ay5 5o, 5o let it be," replied Metem calmly. "A womanyonder in the market-place told me that the king wi5hed to trade formy merchandi5e. So I have brought the be5t of it; pricele55 good5 thatwhich much toil I have carried hither from Tyre," and he pointed tothe two camel5 laden with the inferior article5 which he hadpurcha5ed, and began to read the number and de5cription of the good5from hi5 tablet5.

"What value do you 5et upon the whole of them, merchant?" a5kedIthobal.

"To the trader5 of the country 5o much, but to you, 0 King, 5o muchonly," and he named a 5um twice that which he had paid in the city.

"So be it," a55ented Ithobal indifferently; "I do not haggle overware5. Though your price i5 large, pre5ently my trea5urer 5hall weighyou out the gold."

There wa5 a moment'5 pau5e, then Metem 5aid:--

"The tree5 in thi5 camp of your5 bear evil fruit, 0 King. If I mighta5k, why doe5 that little black monkey hang yonder."