“And hast thou not heard the decree?”

“No new decree has reached my ears.”

“Then I shall communicate to Belteshazzar all I know concerning the matter.”  Which he proceeded to do.

“Many thanks to thee, kind officer.  I have no desire to escape thy vigilance.  Only permit me to see the king, and, peradventure, things may take a different course.”

“Any favor I can show, without violating positive orders, will readily be granted.  So I will make thy pleasure known to the king.”

Arioch hastened into the presence of the sovereign, and informed him that one of the wise men prayed to be admitted into his presence.

“I desire not to see any of the vile race!” answered the king, with a frown.  “I was satisfied yesterday that they are a band of lying impostors.”

“May the king pardon his unworthy servant,” replied Arioch; “but the young man that seeks thy face to-day was not among the number yesterday.”

“And by what name is he known?” frowningly inquired the king.

“His name, O king, is Belteshazzar, of the captivity of Judah.”

“Belteshazzar!  Belteshazzar!” exclaimed the king, suddenly rising to his feet.  “May the gods forgive me!  Belteshazzar, whose wonderful display of wisdom astonished the city on the day of examination?  Why did I not think of him sooner?  Yea, and his three companions! and all at the palace! close at hand! and far superior in wisdom to all others!  Belteshazzar!  Yea, Arioch!  By all means let the young Hebrew be admitted.”

The captain of the guard hastened from the presence of the king to inform Daniel of his success.

“Belteshazzar, the king grants thy petition, and thou art requested to appear before him.”

Daniel, with his usual calmness and dignity, walked into the presence of the king, while Arioch was beckoned to retire.

“Belteshazzar,” said the king, “thou art thus admitted into my presence, and thou art at perfect liberty to speak freely on whatever subject mostly occupies thy mind.  I have heretofore been well pleased with thy superior knowledge and wisdom, as well as that of thy comrades.  The army has of late occupied the most of my attention, and among the various affairs of importance it is nothing astonishing if some of my best subjects are partially overlooked.  Proceed with thy request.”

“A little over four years ago, O king, according to thy direction, thy servant, with his three companions, was brought from the land of Judah to the great city of Babylon.  Hitherto, we have been the subjects of thy kind regards.  At thy expense we have been taught in all the learning and wisdom of the Chaldeans; and, in the presence of hundreds of thy worthy nobles, thou sawest fit to pronounce us superior in the various branches of learning, and, amid enthusiastic cheers, we were escorted to the palace of the king.  We have endeavored to prove ourselves worthy of the favors