h such calm solemnity that silence settled on the
assembly.

"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 gods 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 gods to assist 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 gods 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 Ramses."

"If the-mother did not detect him," answered Mefres, "the man must
resemble Ramses 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 gods, 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 high