"Thou shouldst see the pretense in his demand, Kenkenes. He must have provocation to urge him to rebellion, and he knows full well that Meneptah will not grant that petition."
"But hath he not provocation—thou hast but a moment ago told—"
"But that was only an offense against him. The whole people would not go into revolt because some one had conspired against one of their number. Therefore he telleth Israel that its God would have Israel make a pilgrimage, promising curses upon the people if they obey not. Then he putteth the appeal to the Pharaoh and the Pharaoh denieth it. Wherefore the whole people is enraged and hath rallied to the conspirator's cause. Seest thou, my son?"
"It is strategy worthy the Incomparable Pharaoh—"
"It is Hebrew craft!"
"Perhaps thou art right. But what personal grudge hath Mesu against
Egypt or the priesthood or Meneptah?"
"It is said that he was wanted out of the way, and by an unfortunate sum of accidents, the miscarriage of a priest's letter and a fight between a messenger and Bedouins in front of a Hebrew tent, gave the information into the hands of Mesu himself."
By this time Kenkenes was on his feet.
"A miscarriage of a priest's letter," he repeated slowly.
The artist nodded.