"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."