Indeed a fresher air seemed to move in the assembly. Generals
straightened themselves; civilians looked at the priest with curiosity;
even the pharaoh's face became livelier.

"Listen not to him, my son," implored Queen Niort's.

"What dost Thou think," asked the pharaoh on a sudden; "what would the
holy Samentu do now were he living?"

"I am sure," answered the priest, energetically, "that Samentu would go
to the temple of Ptah and burn incense to the gods; but he would punish
murderers and traitors."

"And I repeat that Thou art the worst of traitors!" cried the queen.

"I only fulfill my duty," said the priest, unmoved by her language.

"This man is a pupil of Samentu indeed," said Hiram. "He alone sees
what is left us to do, and sees clearly."

The military and civil dignitaries recognized the correctness of
Hiram's opinion.

"Since we have begun a struggle with the priests," said the chief
scribe, "we should finish it, and finish it today when we have letters
proving that Herhor was negotiating with the Assyrians, an act which is
high treason against Egypt."

"He is carrying out the policy of Ramses XII," said the queen.

"But I am Ramses XIII," said the pharaoh impatiently.

Tutmosis rose from his chair.

"My lord," said he, "let me act. It is very dangerous to continue
uncertainty in the government, and it would be folly and crime not to
use this occasion. Since this priest says that the temple is not
defended, let me go to it with a handful of men whom I will select."

"I am with thee!" said Kalippos. "According to my experience, an enemy
while triumphant is the weakest. If we attack the temple of Ptah
immediately."

"Ye do not need to attack, but go in there as executives of the pharaoh
who commands you to imprison traitors," said the chief scribe. "Even
force is not needed. How often does one policeman rush at a crowd of
offenders and seize as many as he wishes."

"My son," said the queen, "yields to the pressure of your counsels. But
he does not wish force; he forbids you to use it."

"Ha! if that be the case," said the young priest of Set, "I will tell
his holiness one other thing." He breathed a couple of times deeply,
but still he finished in a stifled voice and with effort. "On the
streets of Memphis the party of the priests is announcing, that."

"That what? Speak boldly," said the pharaoh.

"That thou, holiness, art insane, that Thou hast not the ordination of
high priest, that