attire, and boldly presented himself to the king, who was delighted with
his courage and bade him relate the whole story fearlessly. And when
Rhampsinitus heard of the secret way into his treasury, he would not rest
until he had seen the sliding stone and moved it for himself. He laughed
heartily when he remembered how he had put another lock on the door, and
how he had posted a sentinel in the one place where he could see nothing
of the thieves. Then he returned to the palace, and sent for the princess,
his daughter. Presently she entered with her train of maidens, and
Ladronius was so overcome by her fresh, girlish beauty, that he could
hardly find voice enough to reply to the king's questions. The king rose
and embraced his daughter, and then, addressing Ladronius before the
assembled courtiers, he said, "Ladronius, the Egyptians are the most
cunning of all nations on the face of the earth, and you have proved
yourself more cunning than all the Egyptians. And now, after robbing me of
so many treasures, you are about to rob me of the best and most priceless
of all."

So saying, he took his daughter by the hand, and led her to Ladronius.

"Take her, my son!" he said. "A good and obedient daughter should make a
faithful and loving wife."

The princess stood with her eyes cast down, blushing very prettily, and
Ladronius looked very handsome as he knelt and kissed her hand. Then the
trumpets began to blare, the drums rattled, the cymbals clashed, and the
courtiers shouted, "Long live our gracious princess! Long live
Rhampsinitus and his son-in-law Ladronius!" The royal minstrel brought his
harp and sang a solemn chant, all about the beauty of the princess and the
bravery of Ladronius; and the maids of honor performed a graceful dance to
the music, winding wreaths of lotus flowers about the bride and