whelm every one of us."

For a moment there was silence in the dark chamber.

"What is to be done at present?" asked the nomarch of Emsuch. "We live
in our provinces far from the court, and not only do we not know the
plans of this madman, but we cannot even divine them, we can hardly
believe that they exist. I think it is best therefore to leave this
affair with thee, worthy Herhor, and with Mefres. Ye have discovered
the disease, provide the remedy and act. But if the greatness of
responsibility alarms you, associate with yourselves the supreme judge
as assistant."

"Yes! yes! he speaks truth," confirmed the indignant officials.

Mentezufis lighted a torch and placed on a table before the statue of
the god a papyrus on which was written an act of the following
contents: In view of dangers threatening the state, the power of the
secret council passes into the hands of Herhor with whom are associated
as assistants the supreme judge and Mefres.

This act, confirmed by the signatures of the dignitaries present, was
enclosed in a tube and concealed in a secret place beneath the altar.

In addition, each one of the seven associates bound himself under oath
to attract to the conspiracy ten dignitaries. Herhor promised to bring
proof that Assyria was insisting on the treaty, and that the pharaoh
did not wish to sign it, that he was negotiating with Phoenicians to
dig the canal, and that he intended to enter the labyrinth
treacherously.

"My life and honor are in your hands," concluded Herhor. "If what I
have said is untrue condemn me to death, and have my body burned
afterward."

No one doubted now that the high priest spoke the pure truth; for no
Egyptian would expose his body to burning and his soul to destruction.

Tutmosis spent a few days after the wedding in company with Hebron, in
the palace given him by his holiness. But every evening he went to the
barracks of the guard, where with officers and dancers he passed the
nights very pleasantly.

From this conduct his comrades divined that he had married Hebron only
for her dowry; this, however, did not astonish any one.

After five days Tutmosis announced to the pharaoh that he was ready to
resume his duties. Thenceforth he visited his wife only in the daytime,
the nights he passed near his lord's chamber.

One evening the pharaoh said to him,

"This palace has so many comers for watching and listening that every
act of mine is noted. My revered mother is