tager to hurry at the earliest with new troops, as if those here
were insufficient."

"Communication between Upper and Lower Egypt is interrupted since
yesterday," added the nomarch of Aa. "On the roads are posted troops,
and the galleys of his holiness examine every barge sailing on the
river."

"Ramses XIII is not 'holiness,'" said Mefres, dryly, "for he has not
received a crown from the gods yet."

"All this would be a trifle," said the judge. "Treason is worse. We
have indications that many of the younger priests are favorable to the
pharaoh and inform him of everything."

"There are some even who have undertaken to facilitate the occupation
of the temples by troops," added Herhor.

"Are troops to enter the temples?" exclaimed the nomarch of Sebes.

"They have such an order at least for the 23d," replied Herhor.

"And dost Thou speak of this, worthiness, quietly?" inquired the
nomarch of Ament.

Herhor shrugged his shoulders, while the nomarchs exchanged glances.

"I do not understand this," said the nomarch of Aa, almost in anger.
"There are barely a few hundred warriors at the temples, some priests
are traitors, the pharaoh cuts us off from Thebes and is rousing the
people, while the worthy Herhor speaks as though we were invited to a
banquet. Either let us defend ourselves, if that be still possible,
or."

"Shall we yield to 'his holiness'?" inquired Mefres with irony.

"We shall have time for that always!"

"But we should like to learn about means of defense," said the nomarch
of Sebes.

"The gods will save those who are faithful to them," answered Herhor.

The nomarch of Aa wrung his hands.

"If I am to open my heart, I must say that I too am astonished at thy
indifference," said the judge. "Almost all the people are against us."

"The common people are like barley in the field, they incline with the
wind."

"But the army?"

"What army will not fall before Osiris?"

"I know," replied the nomarch of Aa, with impatience, "but I see
neither Osiris nor that wind which is to turn the people toward us.
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 wit