[Archidice—­A celebrated Hetaira of Naukratis mentioned by Herod. 
   II. 135.  Flute-playing girls were seldom missing at the young
   Greeks’ drinking-parties]

“They shall all be there.  By the bye, that reminds me that the flower-girls were the cause of that poor young Lydian’s imprisonment.  Some jealous idiot attacked him before their house with a number of comrades.  The hot-brained young fellow defended himself . . . .”

“And knocked the other down?”

“Yes; and so that he’ll never get up again.”

“The boy must be a good boxer.”

“He had a sword.”

“So much the better for him.”

“No, so much the worse; for his victim was an Egyptian.”

“That’s a bad job.  I fear it can only have an unfortunate end.  A foreigner, who kills an Egyptian, is as sure of death as if he had the rope already round his neck.  However, just now he’ll get a few days’ grace; the priests are all so busy praying for the dying king that they have no time to try criminals.”

“I’d give a great deal to be able to save that poor fellow.  I know his father.”

“Yes, and then after all he only did his duty.  A man must defend himself.”

“Do you happen to know where he is imprisoned?”

“Of course I do.  The great prison is under repair, and so he has been put for the present in the storehouse between the principal guard-house of the Egyptian body-guard and the sacred grove of the temple of Neith.  I have only just come home from seeing them take him there.”

“He is strong and has plenty of courage; do you think he could get away, if we helped him?”

“No, it would be quite impossible; he’s in a room two stories high; the only window looks into the sacred grove, and that, you know, is surrounded by a ten-foot wall, and guarded like the treasury.  There are double sentries at every gate.  There’s only one place where it is left unguarded during the inundation season, because, just here, the water washes the walls.  These worshippers of animals are as cautious as water-wagtails.”

“Well, it’s a great pity, but I suppose we must leave the poor fellow to his fate.  Good-bye, Doemones; don’t forget my invitation.”

The Samian left the guard-room and went back directly to the two friends, who were waiting impatiently for him.

They listened eagerly to his tidings, and when he had finished his description of the prison, Darius exclaimed:  “I believe a little courage will save him.  He’s as nimble as a cat, and as strong as a bear.  I have thought of a plan.”

“Let us hear it,” said Syloson, “and let me give an opinion as to its practicability.”