“May I take the liberty of asking thee,” said Zadig, “how long thou hast followed this noble profession?”

“From my most tender youth,” replied the lord.  “I was a servant to a pretty good-natured Arabian, but could not endure the hardships of my situation.  I was vexed to find that fate had given me no share of the earth, which equally belongs to all men.  I imparted the cause of my uneasiness to an old Arabian, who said to me:  ’My son, do not despair; there was once a grain of sand that lamented that it was no more than a neglected atom in the deserts; at the end of a few years it became a diamond; and is now the brightest ornament in the crown of the king of the Indies.’  This discourse made a deep impression on my mind.  I was the grain of sand, and I resolved to become the diamond.  I began by stealing two horses; I soon got a party of companions; I put myself in a condition to rob small caravans; and thus, by degrees, I destroyed the difference which had formerly subsisted between me and other men.  I had my share of the good things of this world; and was even recompensed with usury for the hardships I had suffered.  I was greatly respected, and became the captain of a band of robbers.  I seized this castle by force.  The Satrap of Syria had a mind to dispossess me of it; but I was too rich to have anything to fear.  I gave the satrap a handsome present, by which means I preserved my castle and increased my possessions.  He even appointed me treasurer of the tributes which Arabia Petraea pays to the king of kings.  I perform my office of receiver with great punctuality; but take the freedom to dispense with that of paymaster.

“The grand Desterham of Babylon sent hither a pretty satrap in the name of King Moabdar, to have me strangled.  This man arrived with his orders:  I was apprised of all; I caused to be strangled in his presence the four persons he had brought with him to draw the noose; after which I asked him how much his commission of strangling me might be worth.  He replied, that his fees would amount to above three hundred pieces of gold.  I then convinced him that he might gain more by staying with me.  I made him an inferior robber; and he is now one of my best and richest officers.  If thou wilt take my advice thy success may be equal to his; never was there a better season for plunder, since King Moabdar is killed, and all Babylon thrown into confusion.”

“Moabdar killed!” said Zadig, “and what is become of Queen Astarte?”

“I know not,” replied Arbogad.  “All I know is, that Moabdar lost his senses and was killed; that Babylon is a scene of disorder and bloodshed; that all the empire is desolated; that there are some fine strokes to be struck yet; and that, for my own part, I have struck some that are admirable.”

“But the queen,” said Zadig; “for heaven’s sake, knowest thou nothing of the queen’s fate?”