"He is dangerous! he is dangerous!" said the nomarch of Emsuch, while his hands and head trembled. "There is no doubt that the common people have become insolent and may rise any moment. In that case no high priest or nomarch would be sure of his life, not to mention his office and property."
"Against an uprising we have means," replied Herhor.
"What means?"
"First of all," answered Mefres, "we can avoid an uprising if we explain to the wisest among common people that he who makes them promises is a maniac."
"He is one of the soundest men under the sun," whispered the nomarch of
Horti. "All that we need is to learn what he wishes."
"He is a maniac! a maniac!" repeated Mefres. "His own brother imagines himself a monkey, and drinks with dissectors. Ramses may act in the same fashion any day."
"It is awkward and evil to declare a man of sound mind a maniac," said the nomarch of Horti. "For if people see the falsehood they will cease to believe in us, and nothing will restrain an uprising."
"If I say that Ramses is a maniac it must be that I have proof," replied Mefres. "And now listen."
The dignitaries moved on their benches.
"Tell me," continued Mefres, "would a man of sound mind, heir to the throne of Egypt, dare to fight in public against a bull in presence of so many thousands of Asiatics? Would a prince of sound judgment, an Egyptian, wander into a Phoenician temple during night hours? Would he, without cause, reduce to the rank of slaves his first woman, an act which caused her death and the death of her infant?"