Those present murmured in fear.
"All this we have seen in Pi-Bast. Mentezufis and I were witnesses of drinking feasts, at which the half-demented heir blasphemed against the gods and insulted the priesthood."
"That is true," said Mentezufis.
"And what do ye think," continued Mefres, with greater heat, "would a man of sound mind, the leader of an army, leave his troops to chase after a few Libyan bandits? I pass over a number of smaller things, even the idea of giving the people land and a holiday; could I say that a man was of sound mind who committed so many criminal absurdities without cause, just at random?"
Those present were silent; the nomarch of Horti was troubled.
"It is necessary to think over this," added the chief judge, "lest injustice be done him."
Here Herhor spoke.
"Holy Mefres has done him a kindness," said he, in low decisive tones, "by considering him a maniac. Unless he is a maniac we must call him a traitor."
Those present moved with fear.
"Yes, the man called Ramses XIII is a traitor, for not only does he select spies and robbers to discover the way to the treasures of the labyrinth, not only does he reject the treaty with Assyria, which Egypt needs absolutely."