"His garrulousness irritated me," said Ramses. "I must teach Egyptian soldiers and officers to speak briefly, not like learned scribes."
"May the gods grant that to be his only failing," whispered Tutmosis, on whom Eunana had made a bad impression.
Ramses summoned Samentu.
"Be at rest," said he to the priest. "That officer who came after thee was not following. He is too stupid for commissions of that sort. But a heavy hand may be used in case of necessity. Well, now, tell me what inclined thee to such cautiousness?"
"I know, almost, the road to the treasure chambers in the labyrinth," said Samentu.
The pharaoh shook his head.
"That is a difficult task," said he in a low voice. "I ran an hour through various halls and corridors, like a mouse chased by a cat. And I confess that, not merely did I not understand that road, but I could not have even escaped from the place unattended. Death in the sunlight may be pleasant, but death in those dens, where a mole would lose its way! Brr!"
"Still we must find that road and master it," said Samentu.
"But if the overseers themselves give the necessary part of the treasure," inquired the pharaoh.
"They will not do that while Mefres, Herhor, and their confederates are living. Believe me, sovereign, the question for those dignitaries is to roll thee in swaddling clothes, like an infant."