he, "there are imperceptible entrances even
more difficult to open than those in the labyrinth. Whoso knows the key
to a mystery can go everywhere, as Thou hast said justly, O holiness."

Ramses rested his head on his hand and continued thinking.

"I should be sorry," said he, "if misfortune were to meet thee on the
way."

"In the worst event I shall meet death, and does not death threaten
even a pharaoh. Besides, didst Thou not march to the Soda Lakes boldly,
though Thou wert not sure of returning? And, lord, think not,"
continued the priest, "that I must pass over the same distance as other
men who visit the labyrinth. I shall find nearer points, and in the
course of one prayer to Osiris I can reach a place which Thou wouldst
only reach after thirty prayers."

"But are there other entrances?"

"There are, most assuredly, and I must find them. I shall not enter as
Thou didst, by the main gate or in the daytime."

"How then?"

"There are external doors which I know and which the wise overseers of
the labyrinth leave unguarded. In the court the watches are not
numerous and they trust so much to the care of the gods, or to the fear
of the people that they sleep in the night time most frequently.
Besides, the priests go to pray in the temple three times between
sunset and sunrise, but the guards perform their devotions in the open
air. Before one prayer is finished I shall be in the edifice."

"And if Thou go astray?"

"I have a plan."

"But if the plan is imperfect?" asked the pharaoh, unable to hide his
anxiety.

"But, holiness, if Thou obtain not the treasures of the labyrinth? If
the Phoenicians change their minds and refuse the promised loan? If the
army be hungry, and the hopes of the common people be deceived? Be
pleased to believe me, lord," continued the priest, "that I amid the
corridors of the labyrinth shall be safer than Thou in thy kingdom of
Egypt."

"But the darkness the darkness! And the walls which one cannot break
through, and the depth, and those hundreds of ways in which he who
enters must lose himself. Believe me, Samentu, a battle with men is
amusement, but a conflict with darkness and doubt that is dreadful."

"Holiness," answered Samentu, smiling, "Thou dost not know my life. At
the age of twenty-five I was a priest of Osiris."

"Thou?" asked Ramses, with astonishment.

"I, and I will tell at once why I passed to the service of Set. They
sent me to the peninsula of Sinai to bui