She spoke slowly and heavily. Yahmose turned with authority to Henet. "Esa is not accusing you of causing the evils that have happened, but if I understand her rightly, she thinks that you have certain knowledge which you are withholding.
Therefore, Henet, if there is anything you know, about Hori or another, now is the time to speak.
Here, before us all.
Speak.
What knowledge have you?"
Henet shook her head. "None."
"Be very sure of what you are saying, Henet.
Knowledge is dangerous."
"I know nothing.
I swear it. I swear it by the Nine Gods of the Ennead, by the Goddess Maat, by Re himself."
Henet was trembling.
Her voice had none of its usual whining affected quality.
It sounded awed and sincere.
Esa gave a deep sigh. Her figure bent forward.
She murmured: "Help me back to my room."
Hori and Renisenb came quickly to her.
Esa said: "Not you, Renisenb. I will have Hori."
She leaned on him as he helped her from the room towards her own quarters. Glancing up at him she saw his face was stern and unhappy. She murmured:
"Well, Hori?"
"You have been unwise, Esa; very unwise."
"I had to know."
"Yes - but you have taken a terrible risk."
"I see.
So you too think the same?"
"I have thought so for some time, but there is no proof - no shadow of proof.
And even now, Esa, you have no proof.
It is all in your mind."
"It is enough that I know."
"It may be too much."
"What do you mean?
Oh, yes, of course."
"Guard yourself, Esa.
From now on you are in danger."
"We must try to act quickly."
"That, yes. But what can we do?
There must be proof."
"I know."
They could say no more.
Esa's little maid came running to her mistress.
Hori relinquished her to the girl's care and turned away.
His face was grave and perplexed.
The little maid chartered and fussed around Esa, but Esa hardly noticed her.
She felt old and ill and cold... Once again she saw that intent circle of faces watching her as she spoke.
Only a look - a momentary flash of fear and understanding.
Could she have been wrong?
Was she so sure of what she had seen?
After all, her eyes were dim...
Yes, she was sure.
It was less an expression than the sudden tension of a whole body - a hardening - a rigidity.
To one person, and one person only, her rambling words had made sense - that deadly, unerring sense which is truth...