Otanes drew a letter from the folds of his cloak.
“Here have I a letter from my daughter, Phædima,” he said. “She was the wife of the Great King, Cambyses, and she was taken as wife by that one who calls himself Bardya, who, having deposed Cambyses, assumed to marry all his wives. But listen! Was ever such fraud practiced upon a people? This came secretly by a messenger, a slave who owed his life to my daughter. Let me read.
“‘To Otanes, my beloved father:
“‘In much shame and agitation do I write this and will endeavor to dispatch it to you by Hyrax, my faithful slave.
“‘This Bardya is an impostor. He is not Bardya the King’s brother. When Patatheites, the regent, announced that Bardya, son of Cyrus, had returned from Mount Demavend where he had been hiding, and had declared himself King of Kings, there was great rejoicing in Hamadan, and all the people and the army gladly declared for him. The new King made a decree divorcing us from Cambyses and making all of us his wives. What could we do? It was the King’s word.
“‘But, when this man came to visit me, I saw that he could not be the true Bardya, though he resembles him much. He wore a turban after the manner of the Arabs but in such way that it covered his hair and ears. This day did I discover that he has no ears. While he slept, overcome by wine, his turban was disarranged. Then I remembered that I saw this man led away from the presence of Cyrus, who had sentenced him to have his ears cut off for some offense. His name was Gaumata and he was a wizard, a priest of the Magi. This is the man! I had no dagger or I would have slain him. We are prisoners in the palace and are not permitted to go even to the park walls. Haste, then, my father, to rescue your daughter from this foul creature! I have heard it proclaimed that Cambyses is dead, slain by his own hand in Syria. Of the truth of this I know not. My hands reach out to you!
“‘Farewell!
“‘Phædima.’”
The King was amazed. He arose from his throne as the reading proceeded and nervously pulled at his beard. When it was done, he smote together his hands in great agitation.
“Alas!” he cried. “How unfortunate that your message did not come five days ago! Then I would have kept the royal Athura here or marched with her to Hamadan at the head of an army. Only five days ago in obedience to a letter sent her by this false slave, calling himself Bardya, she departed, and even now she may be at Susa in his power! May curses rest on him! I perceive his scheme! With the last of the children of Cyrus in his power, he thinks to be safe. But not so! No time is to be lost! Let us take immediate action!”
He pulled a cord near at hand, and a gong sounded in an adjacent room. Instantly a door at the right of the throne swung open, admitting an officer of the Guard. To him the King said: “Captain Arios, take five hundred men, the best of the army in Persepolis, with the strongest horses, and ride to Susa! Ride day and night! Seize horses and supplies as you go! Overtake Captain Mardux and bring back the Princess Athura, if you can. Ride even to Hamadan if you do not find her at Susa. Send messengers in advance to overtake and turn her back. Spare not horses or men! Delay not!”