When I came in to see how his Majesty rested but now, I found him thus." Now Tua lifted up her head and spoke, saying: "My divine Father is helpless, and therefore again I rule alone in Egypt.

Hear me and obey.

Let the Prince Abi be brought from his prison to the inner hall, for I would question him at once.

Let the waiting-woman, Merytra, be brought also under guard with drawn swords." The officer of the watch bowed and departed to do the bidding of her Majesty, while others went to light the hall.
Soon he returned to an outer chamber whither Tua had withdrawn herself while the physicians examined Pharaoh.
"O Queen," he said, with a frightened face, "be not wrath, but the Prince Abi has gone.

He has escaped out of his prison, and the waiting-woman, Merytra, is gone also." "How came this about ?" asked Tua in a cold voice.
"O Queen, the small gate was open, for people passed in and out of it continually, making preparation for to-morrow's march, it seems that about an hour ago the lady Merytra came to the gate and showed Pharaoh's signet to the officer, saying that she was on Pharaoh's business.