on the open field, in the open
day, the excited prince returned to his tent.

"Nothing can resist the priests," thought he in fear.

He found Pentuer in the tent.

"Tell me, my counselor," said he, "whether priests can read the heart
of a man and unveil his secret purpose."

Pentuer shook his head.

"Sooner," answered he, "will man see what there is in the centre of a
cliff than read the heart of another man. It is even closed to the
gods, and death alone can discover its secrets."

Ramses drew a deep sigh of relief, but he could not free himself from
fear. When, toward evening, it was necessary to call a military
council, he summoned Mentezufis and Pentuer.

No one mentioned the sudden death of Patrokles; perhaps because there
was more urgent business; for Libyan envoys had come imploring in the
name of Musawasa mercy for his son Tehenna, and offering to Egypt
surrender and peace forever.

"Evil men," said one of the envoys, "tempted our people saying that
Egypt was weak; that her pharaoh was the shadow of a ruler. But
yesterday we learned how strong your arm is, and we consider it wiser
to yield and pay you tribute than expose our people to certain death
and our property to ruin."

When the military council had heard this speech the Libyans were sent
from the tent, and Prince Ramses asked the holy Mentezufis directly for
his opinions; this astonished even the generals.

"Only yesterday," said the worthy prophet, "I should have been glad to
refuse the prayer of Musawasa, transfer the war to Libya, and destroy
that nest of robbers. But today I have received such important news
from Memphis that I will vote for mercy to the conquered."

"Is his holiness, my father, sick?" inquired the prince, with deep
emotion.

"He is sick. But till we finish with the Libyans Thou must not think of
his holiness."

When the heir dropped his head in sadness, Mentezufis added,

"I must perform one more duty. Yesterday, worthy prince, I made bold to
offer a judgment that for such a wretched captive as Tehenna, a chief
should not leave his army. Today I see that I was mistaken, for if Thou
hadst not seized Tehenna we should not have this early peace with
Musawasa. Thy wisdom, chief, has proved higher than military
regulations."

The prince was arrested by this compunction on the part of Mentezufis.

"Why does he speak thus?" thought he. "It is evident that Amon is not
alone in knowing of my holy father's illness."

An