would. But it was not to be. In a quarrel she thrust a knife into the heart he dared her to pierce.”
“And she?” questioned Rodan.
“Yes, of course, this was hers,” he picked up the scarlet cloth. “In bitter remorse she threw herself into the Euphrates. These two loans will never be repaid. The chest tells you, Rodan, that humans in the throes of great emotions are not safe risks for the gold lender.
“Here! Now this is different.” He reached for a ring carved of ox bone. “This belongs to a farmer. I buy the rugs of his women. The locusts came and they had not food. I helped him and when the new crop came he repaid me. Later he came again and told of strange goats in a distant land as described by a traveler. They had long hair so fine and soft it would weave into rugs more beautiful than any ever seen in Babylon. He wanted a herd but he had no money. So I did loan him gold to make the journey and bring back goats. Now his herd is begun and next year I shall surprise the lords of Babylon with the most expensive rugs it has been their good fortune to buy. Soon I must return his ring. He doth insist on repaying promptly.”
“Some borrowers do that?” queried Rodan.
“If they borrow for purposes that bring money back to them, I find it so. But if they borrow because of their indiscretions, I warn thee to be cautious if thou wouldst ever have thy gold back in hand again.”
“Tell me about this,” requested Rodan, picking up a heavy gold bracelet inset with jewels in rare designs.
“The women do appeal to my good friend,” bantered Mathon.
“I am still much younger than you,” retorted Rodan.
“I grant that, but this time thou doth suspicion romance where it is not. The owner of this is fat and wrinkled and doth talk so much and say so little she—26—
