“If the truth were sufficient to convict him,” said Cimon, “I should agree with you that the motive of an act is of primal importance, but do you not think banishment a very severe punishment unless the accusers can obtain the most convincing evidence against the accused?”
Leobotes smiled as he said, “You are aware of the accusations of Medism against Pausanias. The lure of wealth and an eastern satrapy following his victory at Platæa proved too attractive. Just recently a slave sent by him with a message to the Persian king was overcome by curiosity and upon reading the contents of the missive learned that he was to be put to death as soon as his message was delivered. So had all previous messengers between Pausanias and Xerxes met their fate in order that absolute secrecy might be maintained. This slave returned to Greece and made known to the Ephors the treachery of his master.”
“What did Pausanias do?” asked Ephialtes for whom the fate of a traitor possessed a peculiar fascination.
Leobotes turned his pale eyes in the questioner’s direction, and to the latter his voice sounded like the utterance of judgment as he replied: “Pausanias fled just yesterday to a shrine of Poseidon in which place he feels secure for the present against any violence.”
All three were silent for a few moments. At length Cimon asked, “Do you believe Themistocles to be implicated in this plot of Pausanias?”
Leobotes hesitated before answering. He did not like the reluctance which Cimon showed in accepting what he, Leobotes, liked to think of as proof of Themistocles’ guilt.
“It seems to me,” he answered evasively, “that all men who have tasted success in battle and have won public favor, sooner or later succumb to an insatiable yearning for worldly riches and glory no matter at what price.”
“Now Cimon is very different,” said Ephialtes quickly, fearing that the trend of conversation was beginning to defeat the purpose for which he had sought Leobotes’ help. “If Cimon were to succeed Themistocles as the leading Athenian, he would accept no bribery.”
“No of course not,” agreed the older man, quick to comprehend the significance of the other’s remark. “There are some men whom one knows instinctively are above such deeds.”
Feeling that this was a suitable remark for Cimon to ponder, he arose and refilled the empty wine goblets.