Thou hast not wearied of life that
thou courtest destruction by the Hebrews' God. Never hast thou meant
to overtake Israel! Never hast thou thought further to provoke their
God! Rather was it thine intent here, somewhere in the desert, thyself
to be a plague upon Meneptah and wear his crown after him!"
Confident were the words, portentous the manner as though proof were
behind, astounding the accusation. One by one the ministers had fallen
away from Har-hat and placed themselves by the king. After a long time
of humiliation for them, the supplanter, the insulter, was overtaken,
his villainy uncovered to the eyes of the king. Kenkenes had justified
them, and their triumph had come with a gust of wrath that added
further to their relief.
Hotep gazed fixedly at Kenkenes. Where had this young visionary,
new-released from prison, found evidence to impeach this powerful
favorite? How was he fortified? What would be his next play? How
much more did he know? And while Hotep asked himself these things,
trembling for Kenkenes, Har-hat put the same questions to himself. The
roll of papyrus, with its seals, still in the young man's hands, was
significant. He folded his arms and forced the issue.
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