The king wasted no curse. “You, Kalduin, ‘master of the star-gazers,’ who boast to be wisest astrologer in Babylon,—look on the writing. I declare that if you, or any other, can read these letters, and make known to me the interpretation, he shall be clothed in scarlet, and a chain of gold put about his neck, and he shall be third ruler of the kingdom, next to Avil and myself.” But Kalduin also fell on his knees, groaning and moaning. Belshazzar turned to Avil-Marduk, who had not spoken since the apparition, and who was still exceeding pale. “Avil!” the accent of the king was icy chill, “if you are truly the mouthpiece of your god, prove your power. Interpret!” Then came a wondrous thing, even on that night of wonders. For the chief priest, to whom Babylon had cringed as almost to the king, cowered on the rugs by the royal couch. “Lord! Lord!” he moaned in fear, “I know not. I cannot tell. Mercy! Spare!” Belshazzar shook his kingly head as might a desert lion, he alone steadfast, while a thousand were trembling. “And is there no man in all Babylon who can read this writing?” was his thunder. There was a rustling beside him. From her chair the aged queen-mother, Tavat-Hasina, leaned forward. “Your Majesty,” she whispered, from pale lips, “live forever. Let not your thoughts trouble you. There _is_ a man in your kingdom in whom is the spirit of the holy gods.” “What man?” demanded Belshazzar. Every eye was on the queen, who continued:— “In the days of your father, light and understanding like the wisdom of the gods were found in him; and King Nebuchadnezzar made him master of the magicians and soothsayers, because an excellent knowledge and interpretation of dreams and dissolving of doubts was found in him.” “Ay! The man! His name!” The king snatched her wrist roughly. Many voices reëchoed, “The man! His name! Send for him! Send!” The queen-mother looked steadily into Belshazzar’s eyes. “The name of the man is Daniel, whom the king called Belteshazzar; now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation.” But the words were like fire thrust into the king’s face. He recoiled from her; the ashen gray came back to his cheeks. “Not Daniel! I will never see him! I have sworn it! Not he! Not he!” So cried the king. But from all the captains rose one clamour:— “Send for Daniel! He is the only hope. He alone can reveal. Send! Send!” Avil found courage to rise and whisper in the royal ear, “Let all Babylon burn, ere the king craves one boon of this villanous Jew!” “Never! I will not send,” cried Belshazzar. But as he saw again that burning line, he grew yet paler. “Daniel! Daniel! We are lost if the writing is longer hid! Send for the Jew!” The captains were waxing mutinous. Scabbards clattered. Would the feast end in rebellion? Belshazzar addressed Mermaza. “Eunuch, go to the innermost prison and bring Daniel hither without delay.”