A strange name?
Oh, not at all! It is pure Chaldee.

My mother--as lovely an Eastern houri as Murillo's Madonna, and as devout as Santa Teresa--gave me the Christian saint's name of Casimir also, but Heliobas pur et simple suits me best, and by it I am generally known.' "'You are a Chaldean ?' I inquired.
"'Exactly so.

I am descended directly from one of those "wise men of the East" (and, by the way, there were more than three, and they were not all kings), who, being wide awake, happened to notice the birth-star of Christ on the horizon before the rest of the world's inhabitants had so much as rubbed their sleepy eyes.

The Chaldeans have been always quick of observation from time immemorial.

But in return for my name, you will favour me with yours ?' "I gave it readily, and we walked on together.