A Victor of Salamis

d a large sum, he was forever undone. His sequestering of the ship-money would become public property. He would be tried for his life. Themistocles would turn against him. The jury

to perceive that while the athlete might find the money, he would be horrified at the foul disclosure. He would save his old comrade from death, but their friendship would be ended. He would feel

; the thing had been done genteelly and without scandal. Democrates affected to be a collector of fine arms and armour. The ceiling of his living room was hung with white-plumed helmets, on the walls glittered brass greaves, handsomely embossed shields, inlaid Chalcidian scimitars, and bows tipped

oom; with his own hands had barred the door and closed the lattice; then with stealthy step thrust back the scarlet wall tapestry to disclose a small door let into the plaster

papyri, and things which the orator studied more intently,-a number of hard bits of clay bearing the impressions of

Leonidas while in [pg 97]Corinth. This, of course, is Themistocles's,-how easily I took it! And this-of less value perhaps to a man of the world-is of my beloved Glaucon. And here are twenty more. Then the papyri,"-he unrolle

ued he did not even whisper to himself. His mood changed sud

ys, the old man of the deep, could drown it all! I

ish haste. Once he hesitated, and almost flung back the writings into the casket. Once he glanced at the notes he had prepared for his speech against the defrauding contractor. He grim

t, but I shall

lanterns?" asked the fellow. "L

," rejoined his m

nner. The orator drew into a doorway; the others glided by, seeing nothing. Only when he came opposite the house of the Cyprian he saw light spreading from the opposite doorway and knew he must pass under curious eyes. Phormio was e

"if seen at all, there is

iental magnificence. The Cyprian advanc

have awaited you. We are r

turned aw

Zeus, I am the most mise

pelled the visitor to a seat on the divan. "Is it such to be enrolled

these papyri, read, pay, then let me never see your face again."

ng all this not a word was spoken. Democrates observed the beautiful mute emerge from an inner chamber and silently take sta

memoranda of Themistocles on the equipment and array

ot stay in my possession. I

e turned

you know of these things, t

nty wisdom of the least o

in a manner that reminded Democrates of som

"yet I must ask our good Athenia

Orchios, Watcher of Oaths, and Dike, the Eternal Justice, that he brought true copies, and that if he was perjured, he called a curse upon h

Phaleron. He holds its counterpart. He will p

oken, but felt that he mu

r, but give the like to me. Wh

unseen lion in the Cyprian. His

nd guile. The Aryan noble is taught three things: to fear the king, to bend the bo

t the Prince almost instantly curbed himself. His

tter than an oath, look here. Can the man

he second finger was a huge bery

above,-the seal of the royal Ach?menians of Pe

an. Think what you will, but do not name me, thou

even though I bear you no good-will. Themistocles is suspicious. Sicinnus his agent, a sly cat, is searching for you.

shrugged hi

me in Athens. What Ahura-Mazda and Mithra his glorious vicegerent will, that shall befall me, be I in Hel

Democrates [pg 101]drew toward the door, a

n your God. I have sold myself this once, but do not call me fri

id the Prince, not seeking to w

sold were genuine, Themistocles often changed his plans, and he could see to it this scheme for arraying the war fleet was speedily altered. No real harm then would come to Hellas. And in his hand was the broken shekel,-the talisman to

* *

rince had strode across the rugs to the window-

foul my lips by speakin

might hear in the king's court. The beautiful "mute," mute no longer, glided a

creatures, you [pg 102]speak them fair?"

guile, these Hellenes are the keenest, subtlest race beneath Mithra's glorious light. And w

so golden one might have hidden shining darics within it. The shining head pressed against the Persian's breast. In this attitude, with the loose dres

he Isthmus, when the Athenian saved you! A blunder by Hiram, an ill-turn of Fate, will ruin us ye

s. As you have said-we are in his hand, alike here and in my brother's palace. And we have

air view under the moonlight. "How noble a city this! Xerxes has promised that I shall be satrap

husband and lord, would that men might give you a hig

es is king," h

he Dauntless. I would be a loyal Aryan, the king is indeed in Susa or Babylon. But for

have brought many in peril of the bow-string. But, by Mithra the Fiend-Smiter, why were you not made

a gentl

est. Have I not the noblest

gh answ

than Xerxes. I love

nd the mountain! And these Greeks, clever, wise, beautiful, when we have mastered them, have taught them our Aryan obedience and love of truth, what servants will they not become! For

eamily, as enchanted as was he

s, the Hindoo by his sacred river, all send tribute to our king, and Hellas-" he held out his arms confidently-"shall be the brightest star in the Persian tiara. When Darius your father lay dying, I swore to him, 'Maste

looking on him, as he s

without princes, or with princes of little power, sometimes a strange thought comes. These perverse, unobedient fo

ok his

o obey. And all the wits of Hellas have no strength unti

minute tracery They could see all the caverns and jagged ledges on the massy Rock. The flat roofs of the sleeping city lay like a dark and peaceful ocean. The mountains spread around in shadow-wrapped hush. Far away the

d the glory, the conquest,-and thou. O Ahura-Mazda," he spoke upward to the stars, "give to thy

g