thus the whole plot be
discovered. He finally adopted the following very extraordinary plan:

[Illustration: THE SECRET CORRESPONDENCE.]

He wrote a letter to Cyrus, and then taking a hare, which some of his
huntsmen had caught for him, he opened the body and concealed the
letter within. He then sewed up the skin again in the most careful
manner, so that no signs of the incision should remain. He delivered
this hare, together with some nets and other hunting apparatus, to
certain trustworthy servants, on whom he thought he could rely,
charging them to deliver the hare into Cyrus's own hands, and to say
that it came from Harpagus, and that it was the request of Harpagus
that Cyrus should open it himself and alone. Harpagus concluded that
this mode of making the communication was safe; for, in case the
persons to whom the hare was intrusted were to be seen by any of the
spies or other persons employed by Astyages on the frontiers, they
would consider them as hunters returning from the chase with their
game, and would never think of examining the body of a hare, in the
hands of such a party, in search after a clandestine correspondence.

The plan was perfectly successful. The men passed into Persia without
any suspicion. They delivered the hare to Cyrus, with their message.
He opened the hare, and found the letter. It was in substance as
follows:

"It is plain, Cyrus, that you are a favorite of Heaven, and
that you are destined to a great and glorious career. You
could not otherwise have escaped, in so miraculous a manner,
the snares set for you in your infancy. Astyages meditated
your death, and he took such measures to effect it as would
seem to have made your destruction sure. You were saved by
the special interposition of Heaven. Yon are aware by what
extraordinary incidents you were preserved and discovered,
and what great and unusual prosperity has since attended
you. You know, too, what cruel punishments Astyages
inflicted upon me, for my humanity in saving you. The time
has now come for retribution. From this time the authority
and the dominions of Astyages may be yours. Persuade the
Persians to revolt. Put yourself at the head of an army, and
march into Media. I shall probably myself be appointed to
command the army sent out to oppose you. If so, we will join
our forces when we meet, and I will enter your service. I
ha