And now if I succeed in this, what will you give me ?" Ithobal named a great sum.
"King," replied Metem, "you must double it, for that amount you speak of I shall be forced to spend in bribes.

More; you must give me the gold now, before I leave your camp, or I will do nothing." "That you may steal it--and do nothing," laughed Ithobal angrily.
"As you will, King.

Such are my terms; if they do not please you, well, let me go.

But if you accept them, I will sign a bond under which if within eight days I do not make it impossible for the prince Aziel to marry the lady Elissa, you may reclaim so much of the gold as I do not prove to you to have been spent upon your service, and no bond of Metem the Phoenician was ever yet dishonoured.

No, on second thought I will learn wisdom from Issachar the Levite and put my hand to no writing which it would pain me that some should read.