rophet Pentuer, his
favorite Tutmosis, and the Phoenician Hiram. When they had assembled he
said,

"Ye know, of course, the temples request me to return to them the funds
borrowed by my father. Every debt is sacred, that which belongs to the
gods I should like to pay first of all. But my treasury is empty, since
even the taxes come in only fitfully.

"For this reason I look on the state as in danger, and I am forced to
turn for funds to treasures preserved in the labyrinth."

The two priests moved uneasily.

"I know," continued the pharaoh, "that according to our sacred laws my
decree is not sufficient to open to us the vaults of the labyrinth. But
the priests there have explained what is needful. I must summon
representatives of all orders in Egypt, thirteen men from each order,
and obtain a confirmation of my will from them."

The pharaoh smiled at this point, and finished,

"Today I have called you to help me to summon that assembly of the
orders, and this is my command to you:

"Thou, worthy Sem, wilt select for me thirteen priests and thirteen
nomarchs. Thou, pious Pentuer, will bring to me from various provinces
thirteen land-tillers and thirteen artisans. Tutmosis will bring
thirteen officers and thirteen nobles; and Prince Hiram will occupy
himself in bringing thirteen merchants. I wish that this assembly
should meet at the very earliest in my palace in Memphis and, without
losing time in vain talk, recognize that the labyrinth is to furnish
means to my treasury."

"I make bold to remind thee, holiness," said Sem, "that at that
assembly the worthy Herhor and the worthy Mefres must be present, and
that, according to law, and even duty, they are to oppose touching the
treasure in the labyrinth."

"Of course I agree to that," replied the pharaoh promptly. "They will
give their reasons, I mine; the assembly will judge whether a state can
exist without money, and whether it is wise to waste treasure in
darkness while the state is threatened with indigence."

"A few sapphires of those which are in the labyrinth would suffice to
pay all debts to Phoenicians," said Hiram. "I will go at once among the
merchants and find not thirteen but thirteen thousand who will vote at
thy command, O holiness."

Then the prince fell on his face and took farewell of the sovereign.
When Hiram went out, the high priest said,

"I know not whether it was well to have a foreigner at this
consultation."

"I needed him here;