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 is Phradates!" he said.
It was indeed the Phœnician, 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.
"They are, my lord," Boupares replied.
"Let them come near," Darius said.
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.