Name your price, and, to half my fortune, you shall have it." "The stone, Highness," replied the Egyptian, with the shadow of a smile flickering across his lips, "never has been, and never can be, sold for money, so I could not sell it, even if money had value for me, which it has not.

There is only one price for it." "And what is that ?" "A human life--perchance many lives--but all to be paid in succession by him or her who buys it, unless he or she shall attain to the Perfect Knowledge." "Give it to me, then!" exclaimed Oscarovitch, holding out his hand.

"The life I have I will gladly pay for it in the hope of laying it on the breast of the living Nitocris.

As I do not believe in any others, I will throw them in.

Give it to me!" "It is a perilous possession, Highness, for one who has not even attained to the Greater Knowledge, as I have.