I omit
what his Majesty might do in the way of taking vengeance; sufficient that
if aught unfortunate befalls me, or Hiram, or this my slave Smerdis, while
we are in Athens, a letter comes to your noble chief Themistocles from the
banker Pittacus of Argos."

Democrates, who had risen to his feet, had been flushed before. He became
pale now. The hand that clutched the purple tapestry was trembling. The
words rose to his lips, the lips refused to utter them. The Prince, who
had delivered his threat most quietly, went on, "In short, good
Democrates, I was aware before I came to Athens of our necessities, and I
came because I was certain I could relieve them."

"Never!" The orator shot the word out desperately.

"You are a Hellene."

"Am I ashamed of it?"

"Do not, however, affect to be more virtuous than your race. Persians make
their boast of truth-telling and fidelity. You Hellenes, I hear, have even
a god--Hermes Dolios,--who teaches you lying and thieving. The customs of
nations differ. Mazda the Almighty alone knoweth which is best. Follow
then the customs of Hellenes."

"You speak in riddles."

"Plainer, then. You know the master I serve. You guess who I am, though
you shall not name me. For what sum will you serve Xerxes the Great King?"

The orator's breath came deep. His hands clasped and unclasped, then were
pressed behind his head.

"I told Lycon, and I tell you, I am no traitor to Hellas."

"Which means, of course, you demand a fair price. I am not angry. You will
find a Persian pays like the lord he is, and that his darics always ring
true metal."

"I'll hear no more. I was a fool to meet Lycon at Corinth, doubly a fool
to meet you to-night. Farewell."

Democrates seized the latch. The door was locked. He turned furiously on
the Barbarian. "Do you keep me by force? Have a care. I can be terrible if
driven to bay. The window is open. One shout--"

The Cyprian had risen, and quietly, but with a grip like iron on
Democrates's wrist, led the orator back to the divan.

"You can go free in a twinkling, but hear you shall. Before you boast of
your power, you shall know all of mine. I will recite your condition.
Contradict if I say anything amiss. Your father Myscelus was of the noble
house of Codrus, a great name in Athens, but he left you no large estate.
You were ambitious to shine as an orator and leader of the Athenians. To
win popularity you have given great feasts. At the last festival of the