CHAPTER XXXVII
AFTER their visit to Sargon the two holy men, Mentezufis and Mefres, when they had concealed themselves carefully with their burnouses, returned home, meditating deeply.
"Who knows," said Mentezufis, "that the view of that drunken Sargon concerning our prince is not the right one?"
"In that case Istubar's view is still more correct," answered Mefres, decidedly.
"Still, let us not be too hasty. We should examine the prince first," remarked Mentezufis.
"Let us do so."
"In fact, both priests went to the heir next morning with very serious faces, and asked for a confidential talk with him.
"What has happened?" inquired the prince. "Has his worthiness Sargon gone on some new night embassy?"
"Alas! the question for us is not of Sargon," answered Mefres. "But reports are current among people that thou, most worthy lord, art maintaining relations continually with unbelieving Phoenicians."
From these words the prince divined why the two prophets had made the visit, and the blood boiled in him. But he saw at once that this was the beginning of a play between the priests and him, and, as became the son of a pharaoh, he mastered himself in one instant. His face assumed an expression of innocent curiosity.