Meanwhile, the pharaoh has attached them by promises, and he will appear with gifts to-morrow."

"Fear is stronger than promises and gifts," replied Herhor.

"What have they to fear? Those three hundred soldiers of ours?"

"They will fear Osiris."

"But where is he?" asked the indignant nomarch of Aa.

"Ye will see him. But happy the man who will be blind on that day."

Herhor spoke with such calm solemnity that silence settled on the a.s.sembly.

"But what shall we do?" asked the judge after a while.

"The pharaoh," said Herhor, "wishes the people to attack the temple on the 23d. We must make them attack us on the 20th of Paofi."

"The G.o.ds live through eternity!" cried the nomarch of Aa, raising his hands. "But why should we bring misfortune on our heads, and besides two days earlier?"

"Listen to Herhor," said Mefres with a voice of decision; "try by all means that the attack be made on the morning of the 20th."

"But if they beat us in fact?" inquired the judge in confusion.

"If Herhor's spells fail I will call the G.o.ds to a.s.sist us," replied Mefres, and in his eyes was an ominous glitter.

"Ah, ye high priests have secrets which ye may not explain to us. We will do what ye command; we will cause the attack on the 20th. But remember, on your heads be our blood and the blood of our children."

"So be it! So be it!" cried both high priests together.

Then Herhor added: "For ten years we have governed the state, and during that time no wrong has happened to any of you, and we have kept every promise; so be patient and faithful for a few days. Ye will see the might of the G.o.ds and receive your reward."

The nomarchs took farewell of the high priests, not trying even to hide their own grief and alarm. Only Herhor and Mefres remained. After a long silence Herhor said,--

"Yes, that Lykon was good as long as he counterfeited the maniac. But that it should be possible to show him instead of Rameses--"

"If the mother did not detect him," answered Mefres, "the man must resemble Rameses remarkably. As to sitting on the throne and saying a few words to those present, he will do that. Moreover, we shall be there."

"A terribly stupid comedian!" sighed Herhor, rubbing his forehead.

"He is wiser than millions of other men, for he has second sight and he may render the state immense service."

"Thou art speaking continually, worthiness, of that second sight. Let me convince myself of it certainly."

"Dost thou wish to do so?" inquired Mefres. "Well, come with me. But by the G.o.ds, Herhor, mention not, even before thy own heart, what thou shalt witness."

They went beneath the temple of Ptah and entered a large vault where a lamp was then gleaming. By the feeble light Herhor saw a man sitting at a table; he was eating. The man wore a coat of the pharaoh's guardsmen.

"Lykon," said Mefres, "the highest dignitary of the state wishes evidence of those powers with which the G.o.ds have gifted thee."

"Cursed be the day in which the soles of my feet touched your land!"

muttered Lykon, pushing away a plate with food on it. "I should rather labor in the quarries, and be beaten--"

"There will be time for that always," interrupted Herhor, severely.

The Greek was silent, and trembled suddenly when he saw a dark crystal globe in the hand of Mefres. He grew pale, his sight became dim, large drops of sweat came out on his face. His eyes were fixed on one point, as if fastened to that ball of crystal.

"He is sleeping," said Mefres. "Is this not wonderful?"

"If he is not feigning."

"Punch him, stick him, burn him even," said Mefres.

Herhor drew from under his white robe a dagger and pointed it as if to strike Lykon between the eyes, but the Greek did not move, even his eyelids did not quiver.

"Look!" said Mefres, holding the crystal up to Lykon. "Dost thou see the man who carried off Kama?"

The Greek sprang from his chair, his fists were clenched, and there was saliva on his lips.

"Let me go!" cried he with a hoa.r.s.e voice. "Let me go and drink his blood."

"Where is he now?" inquired Mefres.

"In the villa at the side of the garden next the river. A beautiful woman is with him."

"Her name is Hebron, and she is the wife of Tutmosis," added Herhor.

"Confess, Mefres, that second sight is not needed to know that."

Mefres closed his thin lips tightly.

"If this does not convince thee, worthiness, I will show something better," said he at length. "Lykon, find now the traitor who is seeking the way to the treasure of the labyrinth."

The sleeping Greek looked for a while at the crystal intently, and answered,--

"I see him--he is dressed in the rags of a beggar."

"Where is he?"

"In the court of the last inn before the labyrinth. He will be there in the morning."

"How does he look?"

"He has red hair and beard," answered Lykon.

"Well?" inquired Mefres of Herhor.

"Thou hast good police, worthiness," replied Herhor.

"But the overseers of the labyrinth guard it poorly!" said Mefres in anger. "I will go there to-night with Lykon to warn the local priests.

But if I succeed in saving the treasure of the G.o.ds, thou wilt permit me to become its overseer, worthiness?"