Thenceforth courier arrived after courier. Some brought news that a great mass of men armed with clubs and axes were moving toward Memphis from every direction. From somewhere else information came that people in the region of Peme, Sochem, and On, were fleeing to the fields and crying that the end of the world would come the day following.
Another courier brought a letter from Hiram that he would arrive very soon. Another announced the stealthy advance of temple regiments to Memphis, and, what was more important, that from Upper Egypt were moving strong divisions of people and troops hostile to the Phoenicians, and even to his holiness.
"Before they arrive," thought the pharaoh, "I shall have the high priests in my hands and even the regiments of Nitager now some days late in arriving."
Finally information was brought that troops had seized here and there on the highways, disguised priests who were trying to reach the palace of his holiness, no doubt with evil purpose.
"Bring them here," answered Ramses, laughing. "I wish to see men who dare to form evil plans against the pharaoh."
About midnight the revered queen, Niort's, desired an audience of his holiness.
The worthy lady was pale and trembling. She commanded the officers to leave the pharaoh's chamber, and when alone with her son she said, weeping,
"My son, I bring thee very bad omens."
"I should prefer, queen, to hear accurate information of the strength and intention of my enemies."
"This evening the statue of the divine Isis in my chapel turned its face to the wall, and water became blood-red in the sacred cistern."