Thy horoscope was a threatening, a very threatening one, but its omens may be averted, they may..." "O tell me, father, tell me how!" "They must turn to good, if thou, forgetful of all else, canst live alone to the gods, paying a ready obedience to the Divine voice audible to us their priests alone in the innermost and holiest sanctuary." "Father, I am ready to obey thy slightest word." "The great goddess Neith, who rules in Sais, grant this, my son!" answered the priest solemnly.

"But now leave me alone," he continued kindly, "lengthened devotions and the weight of years bring weariness.
If possible, delay the death of Phanes, I wish to speak with him before he dies.

Yet one more word.

A troop of Ethiopians arrived yesterday.
These men cannot speak a word of Greek, and under a faithful leader, acquainted with the Athenians and the locality, they would be the best agents for getting rid of the doomed man, as their ignorance of the language and the circumstances render treachery or gossip impossible.
Before starting for Naukratis, they must know nothing of the design of their journey; the deed once accomplished, we can send them back to Kush .-- [The Egyptian name for Ethiopia.] Remember, a secret can never be too carefully kept! Farewell." Psamtik had only left the room a few moments, when a young priest entered, one of the king's attendants.
"Have I listened well, father ?" he enquired of the old man.
"Perfectly, my son.

Nothing of that which passed between Amasis and Psamtik has escaped thine ears.