Thou not think it possible to overthrow them?"

"It is possible and very easy."

"What would thy plan be, if I had to free myself of them?"

"To obtain possession of the treasures in the labyrinth."

"Couldst Thou go to it?"

"I have many indications; the rest I can discover, for I know where to
search for them."

"What further?" inquired the pharaoh.

"It would be necessary to bring an action against Herhor and Mefres for
treason, and for secret relations with Assyria."

"But the proofs?"

"We should find them with the help of the Phoenicians."

"Would no danger come of that to Egypt?"

"None. Four hundred years ago the pharaoh, Amenhotep IV. overturned the
power of priests by establishing the faith in one god, Re Harmachis. It
is understandable that in those conditions he took treasures from the
temples of the other gods. And at that time neither the people, nor the
army, nor the nobility took part with the priesthood. What would the
case be today when the old faith is greatly weakened?"

"Who assisted Amenhotep?" inquired Ramses.

"A simple priest, Ey."

"But who, on the death of Amenhotep, became his heir?" asked Ramses,
looking quickly into the eyes of the priest.

Samentu answered, calmly,

"Events show that Amenhotep was incompetent, more occupied in honoring
Re than in governing Egypt."

"Indeed, Thou art a real sage!" said Ramses.

"At thy service, holiness."

"I appoint thee my counselor," said the pharaoh. "In that case Thou
mayst visit me in secret, and Thou wilt dwell with me."

"Pardon, lord, but until the members of the supreme council are in
prison for negotiating with enemies of Egypt, my presence in the palace
would bring more harm than profit. So I will serve thee, holiness, and
advise, but in secret."

"And wilt Thou find the way to the treasure in the labyrinth?"

"I hope, lord, that before Thou returnest from Thebes, I shall succeed
in this matter. But when we transfer the treasure to thy palace, when
the court condemns Herhor and Mefres whom Thou mayst pardon afterward,
with permission, I will appear openly and cease to be the priest of
Set, who only frightens people and turns them from me."

"And dost Thou think that everything will go well?"

"I pledge my life on it!" cried the priest. "The people thee, holiness,
so it is easy to influence them against traitorous dignitaries. The
army obeys thee as no army has obeyed a pharaoh since Ramses the Great.
Who will oppo