"Nathan is here," Clearchus said.
Chares was on his feet with a bound, and both stood listening breathlessly.
Nathan had reached the dim circle of light before their cell. His keen black eyes were glancing to the right and left at the dark gratings.
"We are here!" Clearchus whispered through the bars.
The Israelite turned his face toward them and smiled, trying to distinguish them in the darkness. In his hand he carried a roll of papyrus.
"Be ready!" he said, in a scarcely audible tone.
"Who are you?" the sentinel demanded, catching sight of Nathan for the first time.
Nathan halted close to the bars of the cell and awaited his approach without reply.
"What are you doing here?" the man asked gruffly as he approached.
"I have an order for you," Nathan replied coolly, unrolling the papyrus as he spoke. "Read it."