"Yes, they are clever!" thought Ramses. "That they deceive the common people, even by rude methods, I knew. Poor sacred Apis! how many prods he got during processions when people lay prostrate before him! But to deceive me, I should not have believed that, voices of gods, invisible hands, a man covered with pitch; these were accessories! Then came Pentuer's song about the decrease of land and population, the officials, the Phoenicians, and all that to disgust me with war."
Tutmosis said suddenly,
"I fall on my face before thee."
"I must bring hither, gradually, regiments from cities near the sea. I wish to have a review and reward them for loyalty."
"But we, the nobles, are we not loyal to thee?" inquired Tutmosis, confused.
"The nobles and the army are one."
"But the nomarchs and the officials?"
"Even the officials are loyal," answered the prince. "What do I say? The Phoenicians even are so, though in many other points they are deceivers."
"By the gods! speak in a lower voice," whispered Tutmosis; and he looked toward the other room timidly.
"Oho!" laughed the prince, "why this alarm? So for thee, too, it is no secret that we have traitors?"