one hour after noon
Then , after a little whispering together , every man of them voted for rebellion , though some of them I could see with heavy hearts , and bound themselves by a great oath to cling together to the last . The matter being thus settled such a letter was written to Idernes as I had suggested on the night before , and sealed with the Signet of signets . Of the yielding up of Amada it said nothing , but commanded Idernes , under the private White Seal that none dared disobey , to wait upon the Prince Peroa at Memphis forthwith , and there learn from him , the Holder of the Seal , what was the will of the Great King . Then the Council was adjourned till one hour after noon , and most of them departed to send messengers bearing secret word to the various cities and nomes of Egypt . Before they went , however , I was directed to wait upon my relative , the holy Tanofir , whom all acknowledged to be the greatest magician in Egypt , and to ask of him to seek wisdom and an oracle from his Spirit as to the future and whether in it we should fare well or ill . This I promised to do . When most of the Council were gone the messengers of Idernes were summoned , and came proudly , and with them , or rather before them , Bes for whom I had sent as he was not present at the Council .