“And you now fill half his offices.”

“Would that he might soon be relieved of the last half of his burden.  Not on my own account.  I love strife, but for the welfare of our native land.  It is a deep-seated feeling of our natures to regard the utterances and mandates of age as wisdom, so there are few among the councillors who do not follow the old man’s opinions; yet his policy limps on crutches, like himself.  All good projects are swamped under his weak, fainthearted guidance.”

“That is the very reason my vote is at your disposal,” cried the warrior.  “That is why I am ready to use all my might to hurl this sleeper from the throne and get rid of his foolish advisers.”

The prophet laid his finger on his lips to warn his companion to be more cautious, drew nearer to him, pointed to his litter, and said in a low, hurried tone: 

“I am expected at the Sublime Porte, so listen.  If Hosea’s mission is successful his people will return—­the guilty with the innocent—­and the latter will suffer.  Among the former we can include the whole of Hosea’s tribe, who call themselves the sons of Ephraim, from old Nun down to the youth in your dwelling.”

“We may spare them; but Mesu, too, is a Hebrew, and what we do to him...”

“Will not occur in the public street, and it is child’s play to sow enmity between two men who desire to rule in the same sphere.  I will make sure that Hosea shall shut his eyes to the other’s death; but Pharaoh, whether his name is Meneptah or”—­he lowered his voice—­“Siptah, must then raise him to so great a height—­and he merits it—­that his giddy eyes will never discern aught we desire to conceal.  There is one dish that never palls on any man who has once tasted it.”

“And what is that?”

“Power, Hornecht—­mighty power!  As ruler of a whole province, commander of all the mercenaries in Aarsu’s stead, he will take care not to break with us.  I know him.  If I can succeed in making him believe Mesu has wronged him—­and the imperious man will afford some pretext for it—­and can bring him to the conviction that the law directs the punishment we mete out to the sorcerer and the worst of his adherents, he will not only assent but approve it.”

“And if he fails in his mission?”

“He will return at any rate; for he would not be false to his oath.  But if Mesu, from whom we may expect anything, should detain him by force, the boy will be of service to us; for Hosea loves him, his people value his life, and he belongs to one of their noblest tribes.  In any case Pharaoh must threaten the lad; we will guard him, and that will unite his uncle to us by fresh ties and lead him to join those who are angry with the king.”

“Excellent!”