"Ramses XIII is not 'holiness,'" said Mefres, dryly, "for he has not received a crown from the gods yet."
"All this would be a trifle," said the judge. "Treason is worse. We have indications that many of the younger priests are favorable to the pharaoh and inform him of everything."
"There are some even who have undertaken to facilitate the occupation of the temples by troops," added Herhor.
"Are troops to enter the temples?" exclaimed the nomarch of Sebes.
"They have such an order at least for the 23d," replied Herhor.
"And dost Thou speak of this, worthiness, quietly?" inquired the nomarch of Ament.
Herhor shrugged his shoulders, while the nomarchs exchanged glances.
"I do not understand this," said the nomarch of Aa, almost in anger. "There are barely a few hundred warriors at the temples, some priests are traitors, the pharaoh cuts us off from Thebes and is rousing the people, while the worthy Herhor speaks as though we were invited to a banquet. Either let us defend ourselves, if that be still possible, or."
"Shall we yield to 'his holiness'?" inquired Mefres with irony.
"We shall have time for that always!"