Two sons had died of the pestilence, and it sorely oppressed his soul that he had been unable to provide for their burial--now his darlings would be lost to him in the other world also and forever.
At the second halt the troubled father became franker still.

An ardent thirst for vengeance filled his soul, and he attributed the same feeling to his stern-eyed companion, whom he saw had plunged into misfortune from a high station in life.

The ex-inspector of the stables had a sister-in-law, who was one of Pharaoh's concubines, and through her and his wife, her sister, he had learned that a conspiracy was brewing against the king in the House of the Separated .-- [Harem].

He even knew whom the women desired to place in Menephtah's place.
As Joshua looked at him, half questioning, half doubting, his companion whispered.

"Siptah, the king's nephew, and his noble mother, are at the head of the plot.