"Happily for Egypt," said the pharaoh, "our kingdom has treasures through which we may improve the army, pay officials, help the people, and even pay all debts which we owe either to the temples or Phoenicians. These treasures, collected by my glorious ancestors, are lying in the vaults of the labyrinth. But they can be taken only if all you right believers recognize as one man that Egypt is in need, and I, your lord, have the right to dispose of the treasures of my ancestors."
"We recognize! We entreat thee to take what is needed!" was the answer from all benches.
"Worthy Herhor," said the ruler, turning to him, "has the sacred priestly order aught to say in this question?"
"Very little," answered the high priest rising. "According to ancient laws the treasure of the labyrinth may be touched only when the state has no other means; such is not the position at present, however, for should the government wipe away the Phoenician debts, which have risen from dishonest usury, not only would they fill thy treasury, holiness, but men working today for Phoenicians would have respite from grievous labor."
On the benches of the delegates approbation was heard now a second time.
"Thy advice is keen, O holy man," replied the pharaoh, "but full of danger. Were my treasurer, the worthy nomarchs, 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."