The prince grew pale, and halted.
"Dost Thou know," asked he of the overseer, "that I have the right of pardon?"
"Erpatr, Thou hast that right," answered the overseer, bowing; and then he added: "The law declares, O child of the sun, that in memory of thy presence men condemned for offences against the state and religion, but who conduct themselves properly, should receive some abatement. A list of such persons will be placed at thy feet within a month."
"But he who is to be strangled this moment, has he not the right to my grace?"
The overseer opened his arms, and bent forward in silence.
They moved from place to place, and passed a number of courts. In wooden cases on the bare ground were crowded men sentenced to imprisonment. In one building were heard awful screams; they were clubbing prisoners to force confession.
"I wish to see those accused of attacking my house," said the heir, deeply moved.
"Of those there are more than three hundred," said the overseer.
"Select according to thy own judgment the most guilty, and question them in my presence. I do not wish, though, to be known to them."
They opened to Ramses a chamber in which the investigating official was occupied. The prince commanded him to take his usual place, but sat himself behind a pillar.