people go."

Then, waiting no answer, they turned and strode away side by side, nor
did any man hinder them in their goings. Again there was silence in the
hall, the silence of fear, for these were awful words that the prophets
had spoken. Pharaoh knew it, for his chin sank upon his breast and his
face that had been red with rage turned white. Userti hid her eyes with
her hand as though to shut out some evil vision, and even Seti seemed
ill at ease as though that awful curse had found a home within his
heart.

At a motion of Pharaoh's hand the Vizier Nehesi struck the ground
thrice with his wand of office and pointed to the door, thus giving
the accustomed sign that the Court was finished, whereon all the people
turned and went away with bent heads speaking no words one to another.
Presently the great hall was emptied save for the officers and guards
and those who attended upon Pharaoh. When everyone had gone Seti the
Prince rose and bowed before the throne.

"O Pharaoh," he said, "be pleased to hearken. We have heard very evil
words spoken by these Hebrew men, words that threaten your divine life,
O Pharaoh, and call down a curse upon the Upper and the Lower Land.
Pharaoh, these people of Israel hold that they suffer wrong and are
oppressed. Now give me, your son, a writing under your hand and seal, by
virtue of which I shall have power to go down to the Land of Goshen and
inquire of this matter, and afterwards make report of the truth to you.
Then, if it seems to you that the People of Israel are unjustly dealt
by, you may lighten their burden and bring the curse of their prophets
to nothing. But if it seems to you that the tales they tell are idle
then your words shall stand."