Page:Key to Easy Latin Stories for beginners.djvu/36

 assigned, desiring the money, contrived as follows. He prepared one of the stones, which could easily be taken out of the wall by two or even by one man. When the building was completed, the king placed his riches in it. 96.But after some time had elapsed, the man who had built the building was near the end of his life. So having called his two sons to him he explained the artifice. He taught them clearly the look and measure of the stone. Accordingly when he was dead, his sons not long after set their hands to the work. Approaching the building by night, they removed the stone, and took out much money.

97.Afterwards the king opened the building, and saw the money greatly diminished; yet the seals of the door were safe and the building closed. Moreover, on opening it a second and third time, he saw less money from day to day. So he did as follows: he at once prepared snares, and set them round the vessels in which the money was. The thieves came as before: one of them, approaching a vessel, was straightway caught in the snare.

98.But his brother cut off his brother’s head, and having again fitted the stone, went home, taking the head with him. In the morning, the king on entering the building was struck with amazement, having seen the body. of the thief (who had been) caught in the snare: for he saw the building uninjured, and no means of exit or entrance. Therefore, being in doubt, he did this. He hung the corpse of the thief on fiie wall and set guards (to watch it).

99.But his brother determined to carry off the corpse. Therefore he planned a trick of this kind. Having saddled (some) asses he placed on them wine skins full of wine, and