ose beside it pale light spread out upon the
road as from an inn.

"Hegias's inn," grumbled the Athenian. "Zeus grant it have no more fleas
than most inns of Corinth!"

At sound of his footsteps the door opened promptly, without knocking. A
squalid scene revealed itself,--a white-washed room, an earthen floor, two
clay lamps on a low table, a few stools,--but a tall, lean man in Oriental
dress greeted the Athenian with a salaam which showed his own gold
earrings, swarthy skin, and black mustache.

"Fair greetings, Hiram," spoke the orator, no wise amazed, "and where is
your master?"

"At service," came a deep voice from a corner, so dark that Democrates had
not seen the couch where lolled an ungainly figure that now rose clumsily.

"Hail, Democrates."

"Hail, Lycon."

Hand joined in hand; then Lycon ordered the Oriental to "fetch the noble
Athenian some good Thasian wine."

"You will join me?" urged the orator.

"Alas! no. I am still in training. Nothing but cheese and porridge till
after the victory to-morrow; but then, by Castor, I'll enjoy 'the
gentleman's disease'--a jolly drunkenness."

"Then you are sure of victory to-morrow?"

"Good Democrates, what god has tricked you into believing your fine
Athenian has a chance?"

"I have seven minae staked on Glaucon."

"Seven staked in the presence of your friends; how many in their absence?"

Democrates reddened. He was glad the room was dark. "I am not here to
quarrel about the pentathlon," he said emphatically.

"Oh, very well. Leave your dear sparrow to my gentle hands." The Spartan's
huge paws closed significantly: "Here's the wine. Sit and drink. And you,
Hiram, get to your corner."

The Oriental silently squatted in the gloom, the gleam of his beady eyes
just visible. Lycon sat on a stool beside his guest, his Cyclops-like
limbs sprawling down upon the floor. Scarred and brutish, indeed, was his
face, one ear missing, the other beaten flat by boxing gloves; but
Democrates had a distinct feeling that under his battered visage and wiry
black hair lurked greater penetration of human motive and more ability to
play therewith than the chance observer might allow. The Athenian
deliberately waited his host's first move.

"The wine is good, Democrates?" began Lycon.

"Excellent."

"I presume you have arranged your wagers to-morrow with your usual
prudence."

"How do you know about them?"

"Oh, my invaluable Hiram, who arranged this interview for u