ul in eye and mien. Another Oriental, but not as the
obsequious Hiram. Here was a lord to command and be obeyed. Gems flashed
from the scarlet turban, the green jacket was embroidered with pearls--and
was not half the wealth of Corinth in the jewels studding the sword hilt?
Tight trousers and high shoes of tanned leather set off a form supple and
powerful as a panther's. Unlike most Orientals the stranger was fair. A
blond beard swept his breast. His eyes were sharp, steel-blue. Never a
word spoke he; but Democrates looked on him with wide eyes, then turned
almost in awe to the Spartan.

"This is a prince--" he began.

"His Highness Prince Abairah of Cyprus," completed Lycon, rapidly, "now
come to visit the Isthmian Games, and later your Athens. It is for this I
have brought you face to face--that he may be welcome in your city."

The Athenian cast at the stranger a glance of keenest scrutiny. He knew by
every instinct in his being that Lycon was telling a barefaced lie. Why he
did not cry out as much that instant he hardly himself knew. But the gaze
of the "Cyprian" pierced through him, fascinating, magnetizing, and
Lycon's great hand was on his victim's shoulder. The "Cyprian's" own hand
went out seeking Democrates's.

"I shall be very glad to see the noble Athenian in his own city. His fame
for eloquence and prudence is already in Tyre and Babylon," spoke the
stranger, never taking his steel-blue eyes from the orator's face. The
accent was Oriental, but the Greek was fluent. The prince--for prince he
was, whatever his nation--pressed his hand closer. Almost involuntarily
Democrates's hand responded. They clasped tightly; then, as if Lycon
feared a word too much, the unknown released his hold, bowed with
inimitable though silent courtesy, and was gone behind the door whence he
had come.

It had taken less time than men use to count a hundred. The latch clicked.
Democrates gazed blankly on the door, then turned on Lycon with a start.

"Your wine was strong. You have bewitched me. What have I done? By Zeus of
Olympus--I have given my hand in pledge to a Persian spy."

" 'A prince of Cyprus'--did you not hear me?"

"Cerberus eat me if that man has seen Cyprus. No Cyprian is so blond. The
man is Xerxes's brother."

"We shall see, friend; we shall see: 'Day by day we grow old, and day by
day we grow wiser.' So your own Solon puts it, I think."

Democrates drew himself up angrily. "I know my duty; I'll denounce yo