A Victor of Salamis Part 20

"And this fellow as much as admitted he carried a second and secret message-"

"Liar!" roared Seuthes.

"Men hint strange things in wine-shops," observed Democrates, sarcastically. "Enough that a second papyrus with Glaucon's seal has been found hidden upon you."

"Open it then, and know the worst," interjected Themistocles, his face like a thunder-cloud; but Democrates forbade him.

"A moment. Let me complete my story. This afternoon I received warning that the Babylonish carpet-vender had taken sudden flight, presumably toward Thebes. I have sent mounted constables after him. I trust they can seize him at the pa.s.s of Phyle. In the meantime, I may a.s.sure you I have irrefutable evidence-needless to present here-that the man was a Persian agent, and to more purpose hear this affidavit, sworn to by very worthy patriots.

"Polus, son of Phodrus of the Commune of Diomea, and Lampaxo his sister take oath by Zeus, Dike, and Athena, thus: We swear we saw and recognized Glaucon, son of Conon, twice visiting by night in the past month of Scirophorion a certain Babylonish carpet-seller, name unknown, who had lodgings above Demas's s.h.i.+eld factory in Alopece."

"Details lack," spoke Themistocles, keenly.

"To be supplied in full measure at the trial," rejoined the orator. "And now to the second letter itself."

"Ay, the letter, whatever the foul Cyclops that wrought it!" groaned Glaucon through his teeth.

Themistocles took the doc.u.ment from Hermippus's trembling hands. His own trembled whilst he broke the seal.

"The handwriting of Glaucon. There is no doubt," was his despairing comment. His frown darkened. Then he attempted to read.

"Glaucon of Athens to Cleophas of Argos wishes health:-

"Cleophas leads the Medizers of Argos, the greatest friend of Xerxes in Greece. O Zeus, what is this next-

"Our dear friend, whom I dare not name, to-day departs for Thebes, and in a month will be safe in Sardis. His visit to Athens has been most fruitful. Since you at present have better opportunity than we for forwarding packets to Susa, do not fail to despatch this at once. A happy chance led Themistocles to explain to me his secret memorandum for the arraying of the Greek fleet. You can apprize its worth, for the only others to whom it is entrusted are Democrates and later Leonidas-"

Themistocles flung the papyrus down. His voice was broken. Tears stood in his eyes.

"O Glaucon, Glaucon,-whom I have trusted? Was ever trust so betrayed! May Apollo smite me blind, if so I could forget what I read here! It is all written-the secret ordering of the fleet-"

For a terrible moment there was silence in the little room, a silence broken by a wild, shrill cry,-Hermione's, as she cast her arms about her husband.

"A lie! A snare! A wicked plot! Some jealous G.o.d has devised this guile, seeing we were too happy!"

She shook with sobs, and Glaucon, roused to manhood by her grief, uprose and faced the stern face of Democrates, the blenching faces of the rest.

"I am the victim of a conspiracy of all the fiends in Tartarus,"-he strove hard to speak steadily; "I did not write that second letter. It is a forgery."

"But who, then," groaned Themistocles, hopelessly, "_can_ claim this handiwork? Democrates or I?-for no other has seen the memorandum,-that I swear. It has not yet gone to Leonidas. It has been guarded as the apple of my eye. We three alone knew thereof. And it is in this narrow room the betrayer of h.e.l.las must stand."

"I cannot explain." Glaucon staggered back to his seat. His wife's head sank upon his lap. The two sat in misery.

"Confess, by the remnants of our friends.h.i.+p I implore, confess," ordered Democrates, "and then Themistocles and I will strive to lighten if possible your inevitable doom."

The accused man sat dumb, but Hermione struck back as some wild creature driven to bay. She lifted her head.

"Has Glaucon here no friend but me, his wife?" She sent beseeching eyes about the room. "Do you all cry 'guilty, guilty'? Then is your friends.h.i.+p false, for when is friends.h.i.+p proved, save in the hour of need?"

The appeal brought an answer from her father, who had been standing silent; and in infinite distress kindly, cautious, charitable Hermippus began:-

"Dear Glaucon, Hermione is wrong; we were never more your friends. We are willing to believe the best and not the worst. Therefore tell all frankly.

You have been a victim of great temptation. The Isthmian victory has turned your head. The Persian was subtle, plausible. He promised I know not what. You did not realize all you were doing. You had confederates here in Athens who are more guilty. We can make allowances. Tell only the truth, and the purse and influence of Hermippus of Eleusis shall never be held back to save his son-in-law."

"Nor mine, nor mine," cried Themistocles, s.n.a.t.c.hing at every straw; "only confess, the temptation was great, others were more guilty, everything then may be done-"

Glaucon drew himself together and looked up almost proudly. Slowly he was recovering strength and wit.

"I have nothing to confess," he spoke, "nothing. I know nothing of this Persian spy. Can I swear the G.o.d's own oath-by Earth, by Sky, by the Styx-"

Themistocles shook his head wearily.

"How can we say you are innocent? You never visited the Babylonian?"

"Never. Never!"

"Polus and Lampaxo swear otherwise. The letter?"

"A forgery."

"Impossible. Is the forger Democrates or I?"

"Some G.o.d has done this thing in malice, jealous of my great joy."

"I fear Hermes no longer strides so frequently about Athens. The hand and seal are yours,-and still you do not confess?"

"If I must die," Glaucon was terribly pale, but his voice was steady, "it is not as a perjurer!"

Themistocles turned his back with a groan.

"I can do nothing for you. This is the saddest hour in my life." He was silent, but Democrates sprang to the athlete's side.

"Have I not prayed each G.o.d to spare me this task?" he spoke. "Can I forget our friends.h.i.+p? Do not brave it to the end. Pity at least your friends, your wife-"

He threw back his cloak, pointing to a sword.

"_Ai_," cried the accused, shrinking. "What would you have me do?"

"Save the public disgrace, the hooting jury, the hemlock, the corpse flung into the Barathrum. Strike this into your breast and end the shame."

No further. Glaucon smote him so that he reeled. The athlete's tone was terrible.

"Villain! You shall not tempt me." Then he turned to the rest, and stood in his white agony, yet beautiful as ever, holding out his arms.

"O friends, do you all believe the worst? Do you, Themistocles, turn silently against me?" No answer. "And you, Hermippus?" No answer again.

"And you, Cimon, who praised me as the fairest friend in all the world?"

The son of Miltiades simply tore his hair. Then the athlete turned to Democrates.