With a scarcely perceptible movement of his hand, the king dismissed the petitioner, who rose to his feet and walked backward, with his head still bowed, to a group of officials who stood at one side of the apartment. Chares gripped Clearchus by the arm.
It was indeed the Ph[oe]nician, who had doubtless been pressing the suit of Azemilcus for command of the Ægean fleet. His proud face was humbled, and drops of perspiration stood on his forehead. The king turned his eyes slowly to the Greeks and made a sign to Boupares to advance. The nobles who were ranged on either side of the throne, the king's fan and cup bearers, his generals and the master of his household, remained with stolid faces.
Boupares prostrated himself before the throne, kissing the floor.
"Are these the Greeks for whom I sent thee?" the king asked indifferently.
Some of the prisoners prostrated themselves before the king as they had seen Boupares do. Others remained standing, and among these were Clearchus and Chares. Darius looked at them, and a slight frown appeared upon his brow.
"Who are they?" he asked, turning to Boupares.
The governor designated each of the captives by name, adding a few particulars by way of identification.
"Clearchus, an Athenian, and Chares, a Theban," he said. "They have served in the army of the Macedonian, and they were sent to the king from Halicarnassus by Memnon."
"Why have they been permitted to live?" Darius demanded, his face darkening at the name of the lost city.
"Because Memnon believed they could give the king information," Boupares answered humbly, "and when captured they had left the army of Alexander."
"What manner of man is this Alexander?" Darius asked, turning his face to the Greeks.
"How can he hope to meet me, with his handful of men?" Darius asked again.
"He remembers Cyrus, thy ancestor," Chares replied boldly.
These answers made an evident impression on Darius, whose face lost its listless expression. Many questions he put to the Greeks, who made no attempt to conceal anything from him, knowing that others could give him the information that he desired if they refused, and that refusal would mean immediate death. Finally the king could think of nothing more to ask.