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127 THE KING OF SCHNORRERS. 127

"You see, gentlemen, how insecure is earthly power," said the Schnorrer solemnly, while the President breathed stertorously, deaf to his impressive moralising. " It is swal- lowed up in an instant, as Lisbon was engulfed. Cursed are they who despise the poor. How is the saying of our sages verified — 'The house that opens not to the poor opens to the physician.' " His eyes shone with unearthly radiance in the gathering gloom.

The cowed assembly wavered before his words, like reeds before the wind, or conscience-stricken kings before fearless prophets.

When the physician came he pronounced that the Presi- dent had had a slight stroke of apoplexy, involving a tempo- rary paralysis of the right foot. The patient, by this time restored to consciousness, was conveyed home in the sedan chair, and the Mahamad dissolved in confusion. Manasseh was the last to leave the Council Chamber. As he stalked into the corridor he turned the key in the door behind him with a vindictive twist. Then, plunging his hand into his breeches-pocket, he gave the beadle a crown, remarking genially, "You must have your usual perquisite, I suppose."

The beadle was moved to his depths. He had a burst of irresistible honesty. " The President gives me only half-a- crown," he murmured.

" Yes, but he may not be able to attend the next meeting," said Manasseh. "And I may be away, too."