, and the nobles, to
erase what the state owes to creditors, they might omit one day to pay
Phoenicians, the next day they might forget to pay sums due the temples
and the pharaoh. Who will assure me, that common men, encouraged by
examples from the great, would not think that they, too, have the right
to forget their duties toward the sovereign?"

The blow was so weighty that the most worthy Herhor bent and was
silent.

"And thou, chief overseer of the labyrinth, what hast Thou to say?"
asked Ramses.

"I have a box here," replied the overseer, "with white and black
pebbles. Every delegate will receive two and will put one of them into
a pitcher; whoso wishes thee, holiness, to break the treasure in the
labyrinth will put in a black pebble; whoso wishes that the property of
the gods be untouched will put in a white one."

"Agree not, O lord, to that," whispered the treasurer to the sovereign.
"Let each delegate tell openly what he has on his soul."

"Let us respect ancient customs," interrupted Mefres.

"Yes, let them put pebbles into the pitcher," decided the pharaoh. "My
heart is pure and my plans are unbending."

Holy Mefres and Herhor exchanged glances. The overseer of the labyrinth
and two generals went around the benches and gave a white pebble and a
black one to each delegate. The poor men from the common crowd were
confused much at seeing before them such great dignitaries. Some fell
on the floor, did not dare to take the pebbles, and understood with
great difficulty that they were to put only one pebble into the
pitcher, a black or a white one.

"I wish to agree with the gods and his holiness," whispered an old
shepherd.

At last the officials succeeded in explaining, and the common men in
understanding what was needed. The voting began. Each delegate went to
the pitcher and dropped in his pebble in such fashion that others did
not see its color.

Meanwhile the chief treasurer knelt behind the throne, and whispered,

"All is lost! If they had voted openly we should have unanimity; but
now may my hand wither if there will not be twenty white pebbles in the
pitcher."

"Be at rest, faithful servant," replied Ramses with a smile. "I have
more regiments at hand than there will be voices against us."

"But to what purpose? to what purpose?" sighed the treasurer; "without
unanimity they will not open the labyrinth."

Ramses smiled all the time.

The procession of delegates had finished. The oversee