“You risk all on this juggler,” declared Neriglissor when the fellow was gone. But the chief priest shook his head.
“I know him by rumour to be one of the cleverest rats in Babylon. He will have enough real bricks to build his tale with and make it credible. I have him utterly in my power. Should he confess all to Daniel, who would believe him against my denial? He will not fail.”
The “anointer” cast a shrewd glance at his superior.
“You are a man of many devices. When did it enter your head to make use of this exorcist?”
“The moment he opened his business. I had been casting about for many days for a chance like this against Daniel, and was at my wit’s end.”
“Therefore, if we were not priests, we should say, ‘Bel has wondrously favoured us’; but since we are priests, we will preserve our thanksgivings—”
“To ourselves,” interposed Avil, dryly; “and now to the other part of my business. You must ride with me to the palace. The king will hold council again.”
Neriglissor grew even more insinuating.
“My dear lord, was that cloak, found in the shrubbery after the assault on his Majesty, the garment of the Persian envoy?”