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Besides, Hiram, who intercepted Herhor's letters to the Assyrians will return no sooner than the 20th. So only on the 21st of Paofi shall we have proofs in our hands that the high priests are traitors, and we shall announce their treason in public." "Then am I to go to Fayum?" inquired Kalippos. "Oh, no! Thou and Tutmosis will remain near me with chosen regiments.
"Is it known to you," asked he, "that the priests wish to make of the remains of Patrokles a mummy of the first order, and to put it near the graves of the pharaohs? Can honor greater than this meet a man anywhere?" The Greeks hesitated; at last Kalippos took courage and answered, "Our lord, permit us to open our hearts to thee.
"He is young; he likes noise and uproar," added the treasurer. "How clear it is that ye are not warriors," said Kalippos. "When it comes to battle we must concentrate all the forces, for surprises are sure to happen." "They would happen if we had not the people behind us," said the scribe. "But what unexpected thing can happen? The gods will not come down to defend the labyrinth."
Tutmosis commanded to prepare twenty-five two-wheeled chariots of the heavy cavalry, and ordered the volunteers to enter. Then he with Kalippos mounted their horses, and soon the whole retinue turned toward Memphis and vanished in a dust cloud. When Hiram saw this from the window of a villa, he bowed before the pharaoh and whispered,
Since this priest says that the temple is not defended, let me go to it with a handful of men whom I will select." "I am with thee!" said Kalippos. "According to my experience, an enemy while triumphant is the weakest. If we attack the temple of Ptah immediately." "Ye do not need to attack, but go in there as executives of the pharaoh who commands you to imprison traitors," said the chief scribe.
Two of these will halt at the labyrinth, two will push on to Hanes. If troops of the priests go from Thebes ye will drive them back and not let them approach Fayum. If people are indignant at the priests and threaten the labyrinth, thy Greeks will occupy the edifice." "But if the overseers of the labyrinth refuse?" inquired Kalippos. "That would be rebellion," answered the pharaoh, and continued,
Ye will do this immediately, so that there be supplies wherever needed till the 23d of Paofi." The treasurer inclined to the pavement. "Thou, scribe, wilt write and command to-morrow to herald forth in the streets of provincial capitals that barbarians of the western desert are advancing in great force to attack the province of Fayum. Thou, Kalippos, wilt dispatch four Greek regiments southward.
"Such is thy speech, worthiness, for Thou art at rest," answered Kalippos; "Thou knowest that the supreme chief is watching and is trying to foresee everything; if that were not the case thy skin might creep." "I see no surprises," contended the scribe, "unless the high priests are spreading reports again that the pharaoh is demented."
He did not receive even Tutmosis. Toward evening a deputation of Greeks appeared under the leadership of Kalippos. When the heir asked what their wish was Kalippos answered, "We have come, lord, to implore that the body of our leader, thy servant Patrokles, should not be given to Egyptian priests, but be burned in accord with Greek usage." The prince was astonished.
"During the last ten years any prophet had more power than the nomarch of Thebes or of Memphis." "I think that Herhor is preparing in secret a boat in which to flee before the 23d of Paofi," put in Kalippos. "What will be done to Herhor?" said the scribe. "His holiness, who is terrible today, will forgive him when he is obedient."
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