Now Mermes blew a shrill call on the silver whistle that hung about his neck, and, springing forward, seized the Prince by the arm.  Abi drew his sword to cut him down, and at the sight of the blade, all who were with him rushed to the door to escape, sweeping before them certain of Pharaoh’s ladies, among them the waiting-woman, Merytra.  But before ever they could pass it, the guards who had heard the signal of Mermes, ran in with lifted spears, driving them back again.  Leaping upon Abi, they tore the sword from his hand, and threw him to the ground, huddling the rest together like frightened sheep.

“Bind this traitor and keep him safe, for to-morrow he accompanies us to Thebes,” said Pharaoh.

“What of his sons, and those with him, your Majesty?” asked the officer of the guard.

“Let them go,” answered Pharaoh wearily, “for they have not sinned against us.  Let them go, and take warning from their master’s fate.”

Now, as it chanced in the confusion, Merytra had been pushed against Kaku.

“Hearken,” whispered the astrologer into the woman’s ear.  “Do as I bid you last night, and all will yet be well.  Do it or die.  Do you hear me?”

“I hear, and I will obey,” answered Merytra in the same low voice.

Then they were separated, for the guards took Kaku by the arm and thrust him out of the temple together with the sons of Abi.

An hour later Mermes and Asti stood before Pharaoh, and prayed him that he would depart from Memphis that very night, saying that such was the counsel also of the Queen and of his officers.  But Pharaoh was tired out, and would not listen.

“To-morrow, when I have slept, will be time enough,” he answered.  “Moreover, shall I fly from my own city like a thief when naught is ready for our journey?  Why do you press me to such a coward’s act?” he added peevishly.

“For this reason, your Majesty,” answered Mermes.  “We are sure there is a plot to keep you here.  This afternoon you could not have gone, had you tried, but to-night, Abi, being a prisoner, his people are dismayed, and having no leader will open the gates.  By to-morrow one may be found, and they will be double-barred and guarded.”

“What!” asked the King scornfully, “do you mean that I am a prisoner also, and here in Egypt, which I rule?  Nay, good friends, at Pharaoh’s word those gates will open.  Or if they do not, I will pull down Memphis stone by stone, and drive out its people to share their caves with jackals.  Do they think because I am kind and gentle, that I cannot lift the sword if there be need?  Have they forgotten how I smote those rebels in my youth, and gave their cities to the flames, and set my yoke on Syria, that aided them.  We march to-morrow, and not before.  I have spoken.”

Now Mermes bowed and turned to go, since when those words had passed Pharaoh’s lips it was not lawful to answer them.  Yet Asti dared to do so.