"I doubt that!" answered Mefres.
Herhor ascended the pylon, for they were signaling to him from the palace. Soon he returned and said to those assembled:
"Our young priest has managed very well. At this moment Tutmosis is advancing with some tens of volunteers to imprison or slay us."
"And wilt Thou dare still to defend Ramses?" cried Mefres.
"I must and will defend him, for I swore solemnly to the queen that I would. Were it not for the worthy daughter of the holy Amenhotep, our position today would not be what it is."
"Well, but I have not sworn," replied Mefres, and he left the hall.
"What does he wish?" asked one of the nomarchs.
"He is an old man grown childish," replied Herhor, shrugging his shoulders.
Before six o'clock in the evening a division of the guard approached the temple of Ptah unhindered, and the leader of it knocked at the gate, which was opened immediately. This was Tutmosis with his volunteers.
When the chief entered the temple court he was astonished to see Herhor in the miter of Amenhotep, and surrounded only by priests come out to meet him.