he police, the overseers of the laborers, and
the mayors in the provinces of Seft, Neha-chent, Nehapechu, Sebt-Het,
Aa, Ament, and Ka. In those same places you will give the innkeepers
and the keepers of dramshops barley, wheat, and wine, whatever is at
hand, so that common men may have meat and drink free of charge. Ye
will do this immediately, so that there be supplies wherever needed
till the 23d of Paofi."

The treasurer inclined to the pavement.

"Thou, scribe, wilt write and command to-morrow to herald forth in the
streets of provincial capitals that barbarians of the western desert
are advancing in great force to attack the province of Fayum. Thou,
Kalippos, wilt dispatch four Greek regiments southward. Two of these
will halt at the labyrinth, two will push on to Hanes. If troops of the
priests go from Thebes ye will drive them back and not let them
approach Fayum. If people are indignant at the priests and threaten the
labyrinth, thy Greeks will occupy the edifice."

"But if the overseers of the labyrinth refuse?" inquired Kalippos.

"That would be rebellion," answered the pharaoh, and continued,

"Thou, Tutmosis, wilt send three regiments to Memphis and post them
near the temples of Ptah, Isis, and Horus. If the enraged people wish
to storm the temples the commanders of the regiments will open the
gates to themselves, will not admit common men to the holy places, and
will guarantee the persons of the high priests from insult. There will
be priests in the labyrinth and in the temples of Memphis, who will
come forth to the army with green branches. The commanders of regiments
will ask those men for the password and will counsel with them."

"But if they resist?" inquired Tutmosis.

"Only rebels would refuse to obey commanders of the pharaoh," answered
Ramses. "The temples and the labyrinth must be occupied by troops on
the 23d of Paofi," continued the pharaoh, turning to the chief scribe.
"The people both in Memphis and Fayum may begin to assemble on the
18th, at first in small groups, then in increasing numbers. But if
slight disturbances begin about the 20th, they are not to be prevented.
The people are to storm the temples not earlier than the 22d and 23d.
And when troops occupy those points all must be quieted."

"Would it not be better to imprison Herhor and Mefres at once?"
inquired Tutmosis.

"What for? I am not concerned about them, but the labyrinth and the
temples, for the occupation of which