k over the waters of Lake
Moeris. But men reminded him that he should see the labyrinth also.

He left Fayum with a sigh and gazed around as he traveled. Soon his
attention was fixed by a majestic pile of gray buildings which stood on
an eminence.

At the gate of the famous labyrinth Ramses was greeted by a company of
priests of ascetic exterior, and a small division of troops, every man
in which was completely shaven.

"These men look like priests," said Ramses.

"They do, because every one in the ranks has received the inferior
ordination, and centurions the superior," answered the high priest of
the edifice.

When he looked more carefully at the faces of those strange warriors,
who ate no meat and were celibates, the pharaoh noted in them calm
energy and quickness, he noted also that his sacred person made no
impression whatever in that place.

"I am very curious to learn how Samentu's secret plan will succeed,"
thought he. The pharaoh understood that it was impossible either to
frighten those men or to bribe them. They were as self-confident in
looks as if each one commanded countless regiments of spirits.

"We shall see," thought Ramses, "if they can frighten my Greeks and
Asiatics, who, fortunately, are so wild that they do not know pompous
faces."

At the request of the priests, the pharaoh's suite remained at the
gate, as if under guard of the shaven soldiers.

"Must I leave my sword too?" asked Ramses.

"It will not harm us," answered the chief overseer.

The young pharaoh had the wish at least to slap the pious man with the
side of his sword for such an answer, but he restrained himself.

Ramses and the priests entered the main building by an immense court
and passed between two rows of sphinxes. Here in a very spacious, but
somewhat dark, antechamber were eight doors, and the overseer inquired,

"Through which door dost Thou wish to go to the treasure, holiness?"

"Through that by which we can go the most quickly."

Each of five priests took two bundles of torches, but only one ignited
a torch.

At his side stood the chief overseer holding in his hands a large
string of beads on which were written certain characters. Behind them
walked Ramses surrounded by three priests.

The high priest who held the beads turned to the right and entered a
great hall, the walls and columns of which were covered with
inscriptions and figures. From that they entered a narrow corridor,
which led upward, and