"But the victory of the Soda Lakes?" inquired Pentuer.
"I recognize energy in him, and a knowledge of military art," added Herhor. "That is the one thing that he knows. But say thyself would he have won the battle at the Soda Lakes were it not for aid from thee and others of the priestly order? I know that ye informed him of every movement of the Libyan band. And now think, could Ramses, even with help from you, win a battle against Nitager, for example? Nitager is a master, Ramses is a mere apprentice."
"Then what will be the end of this hatred between him and you?" inquired Pentuer.
"Hatred!" repeated Herhor. "Could I hate a frivolous fellow, who, moreover, is surrounded, like a deer in a ravine by hunters! But I must confess that his rule is so full of danger that if Ramses had a brother, or if Nitager were younger, we should set aside the present pharaoh."
"And thou, worthiness, would become his heir!" burst out Pentuer.
Herhor was by no means offended.
"Pentuer Thou hast grown marvelously dull since thy entry into politics on thy own account," replied he, shrugging his shoulders. "Of course, if the country were without a pharaoh, it would be my duty to become one by virtue of my office of high priest of Amon, and chief of the supreme council. But what is the office to me? Have I not had more power for a number of years than the pharaoh? Or do I not today, though I am a minister of war in disgrace, carry out in this state whatever I think needful?
"Those same high priests, treasurers, judges, nomarchs, and even generals who avoid me at present, must carry out every secret order of the council furnished with my seal. Is there a man in Egypt who would dare refuse obedience to those orders? Wouldst thou, for instance, dare oppose them?"
Pentuer hung his head.
If in spite of the death of Ramses XII the supreme privy council of priests had maintained itself, Ramses XIII must either yield or fight a life-and-death battle.