the Prince Peroa that day with a small guard only, to inquire into
this matter of the Signet, for which visit he demanded a safe-conduct
sworn in the name of the Great King and in those of the gods of Egypt
and the East. Failing this he would at once attack Memphis
notwithstanding any commands that might be given him under the Signet,
which, until he beheld it with his own eyes, he believed to be a
forgery.

The question was--what answer should be sent to him? The debate that
followed proved long and earnest. Some were in favour of attacking
Idernes at once although his camp was reported to be strongly
entrenched and flanked on one side by the Nile and on the other by the
rising ground whereon stood the great sphinx and the pyramids. Others,
among whom I was numbered, thought otherwise, for I hold that some
evil god led me to give counsel that day which, if it were good for
Egypt was most ill for my own fortunes. Perchance this god was Isis,
angry at the loss of her votary.

I pointed out that by receiving Idernes Peroa would gain time which
would enable a body of three thousand men, if not more, who were
advancing down the Nile, to join us before they were perhaps cut off
from the city, and thus give us a force as large as his, or larger.
Also I showed that having summoned Idernes under the Signet, we should
put ourselves in the wrong if we refused to receive him and instead
attacked him at once.

A third party was in favour of allowing him to enter Memphis with his
guard and then making him prisoner or killing him. As to this I
pointed out again that not only would it involve the breaking of a
solemn oath, which might bring the curse of the gods upon our cause