“Hold!” cried Avil, at the top of his voice; “what god can speak through _his_ lips? Is the king of Babylon sunk so low—” “Read and interpret yourself, priest,” bawled an old officer; and from fifty fellows rose the yell: “Away with Avil-Marduk. It is he who angers heaven!” “Shall I go, lord?” questioned Mermaza, and Belshazzar only nodded his head. Then there was silence once more, while monarch and servants watched those letters burning on the wall. Presently—after how long!—there were feet heard in the outer court, the clanking of chains; then right into the glare and glitter came Mermaza, followed by two soldiers; and betwixt these an old man, squalid, unkempt, clothed in rags, the fetters still on wrist and ankle. But at sight of him a hundred knelt to worship. “Help us, noble Jew! Make known the writing, that we may obey heaven, and may not die!” One and all cried it. But Daniel heeded nothing until he stood before the king. As Belshazzar rose from his couch to speak, a cry broke forth from Ruth. “My father! My father! Help me! Save me!” Almost she would have flown to his arms, but he outstretched a manacled hand, beckoning away. “Not now, daughter. On another errand have I come.” Then to the king, “Your Majesty, I am here.” Belshazzar tried vainly to meet the piercing eye of the Jew. His own voice was metallic, while he groped for words. “Are you that Daniel, of the captive Hebrews, whom Nebuchadnezzar brought out of Judea?” Where were the king’s wits fled, that he asked this of the man so long known and hated? A stately nod was his reply. “I have heard that the spirit of the gods is in you, and light and understanding and excellent wisdom. And now the wise men and astrologers have been brought to read this writing, and to interpret, but they could not. And I have heard that you can make interpretations and dissolve doubts.” The king’s voice faltered; he would have given a thousand talents not to be driven to speak the rest. “Now, if you are able to read the writing, and make known the interpretation, you shall be clothed in scarlet, and have a chain of gold about your neck, and be the third ruler of the kingdom.” No response: Daniel looked straight upon Belshazzar, and again Belshazzar strove to shun the captive’s gaze. “Will you not speak?” demanded the king. “Speak! or you are beaten to death!” Was it triumph or pity that lighted the old Jew’s face? “Death? My times are in mightier hands than yours, O king. Answer truly—will you have me speak? For this is not the word of Bel.” All saw Avil leap up, as if in creature fear; but Belshazzar at least faced Daniel steadily, with all save his eyes. “Answer me truly—be it good or ill. But answer!”