To reënforce the shouts, a brick flung by some mad rascal in the crowd dashed against the car.
“Be persuaded, Avil,” urged Mermaza; “make no demand for Daniel’s life.”
“Spare the Jew? Never will I yield a ‘finger breadth.’ Having gone thus far, it is self-destruction to turn back.”
“Nevertheless, I wish we had brought more soldiers from the palace.”
Belshazzar was beckoning to the priest, and he turned away, whereupon Atossa addressed Mermaza wearily:—
“Is it far now to the temple of Marduk?”
“Not far; yet why is my mistress so tired? The under eunuchs tell me she did not sleep. The king’s Egyptian doctor must prepare a night draught.”
“Alas! that can profit little when I consider that Prince Darius’s life is in danger while he is a prisoner.”
“Danger?” Mermaza’s smile was radiant as the moon. “Has not his Majesty pledged that he is perfectly safe? His life is more precious than the gems in the royal treasure chamber.”