Daniel proves through a ruse that the sacred meal of Bel is actually consumed at night by the seventy priests and their wives and children , who entered through a secret door when the temple 's doors were sealed . Daniel then proves through a ruse ( by scattering ashes on the whole perimeter on the temple in the presence of the king after the priests have left ) that the sacred meal of Bel is actually consumed at night by the priests and their wives and children , who entered through a secret door when the temple 's doors were sealed .