"Has your army wings, Macedonian?" he asked insolently. "The walls of Tyre are both high and strong."
"What is the fate of spies in your country?" Alexander replied. "You are spared to bear my message. Must I choose another?"
There was something in the tone of these words that brought Phradates to his senses like a plunge into cold water.
"We shall meet elsewhere," he said, casting a look of hatred at Chares, who stood smiling at his discomfiture.
"If we do not, I shall never cease to regret it," the Theban replied.
Mena had been hurriedly putting his master's gold into the sacks in which he had brought it. The waiting slaves took it up and followed Phradates back to his tent.
"What was it all about?" Alexander asked, glancing from Chares to Maia.
"I wished to buy her as a present to my mother, as I have bought nearly five hundred of our friends to-day," Chares replied.
Alexander took up the sword from the scales and drew it from its sheath.
"It is a good blade," he said, "and I would not deem its price too high if your arm was to wield it in my cause."