"I have no doubt," said he, "that the rioters themselves will withdraw when they see the dwellings of the gods occupied by the army."
The delegates hesitated.
"It is known to thee, holiness," answered the chief, "that the army may not enter the enclosure of a temple. We must ask, therefore, what the high priests have to say."
"Very well, take counsel," answered the sovereign. "I cannot perform miracles, and I cannot defend temples from a distance."
The saddened delegates left the pharaoh, who after their departure summoned a confidential council. He was convinced that the priests would yield to his will, and it did not even occur to him that the delegation itself was a trick arranged by Herhor to lead him into error.
When the civil and military officials had assembled in the pharaoh's chamber Ramses began,
"I thought," said he, proudly, "to occupy the temples of Memphis only on the 23d, but I consider it better to do so to-morrow."
"Our troops have not assembled yet," objected Tutmosis.
"And we have not Herhor's letters to Assyria," added the chief scribe.
"Never mind!" answered the pharaoh. "Proclaim tomorrow that Herhor and Mefres are traitors, and we will show the nomarchs and priests the proofs three days later when Hiram returns from Pi-Bast to us."