"It seems that his act was caused by hunger."
The pharaoh grew thoughtful.
"A strange event," said he, "but I wish to hear of something else. What crimes happen most commonly in these days?"
The supreme judge hesitated.
"Speak boldly," said the pharaoh, now grown impatient, "and hide nothing from me. I know that Egypt has fallen into a morass; I wish to draw it out, hence I must know everything."
"The most usual crimes are revolts. But only common people revolt," added the judge, hastily.
"I am listening," said the pharaoh.
"In Kosem a regiment of masons and stone-cutters revolted recently; for some time needful supplies had been refused them. In Sechem earth- tillers killed a scribe who was collecting taxes. In Melcatis and Pi- Hebit also earth-tillers wrecked the houses of Phoenician tenants. At Kasa they refused to repair the canal, declaring that pay from the treasury was clue them for that labor. Finally in the porphyry quarries the convicts killed their overseers and tried to escape in a body to the seacoast."
"This news does not surprise me," replied the pharaoh. "But what dost
Thou think?"
"It is necessary first of all to punish the guilty."