Part 42 (2/2)
”Miserable youth! What harpy, what evil G.o.d has brought you hither? What prevents that I give you over to the crew to crucify at the foremast?”
”Nothing hinders! nothing”-Glaucon's voice mounted to shrillness-”save that Athens and h.e.l.las need all their sons this night.”
”A loyal son you have been!” darted Themistocles, his lips curling. ”Where did you escape the sea?”
”I was washed on Astypalaea.”
”Where have you been since?”
”In Sardis.”
”Who protected you there?”
”Mardonius.”
”Did the Persians treat you so shabbily that you were glad to desert them?”
”They loaded me with riches and honour. Xerxes showered me with benefits.”
”And you accompanied their army to h.e.l.las? You went with the other Greek renegades-the sons of Hippias and the rest?”
Glaucon's brow grew very red, but he met Themistocles's arrowlike gaze.
”I did-and yet-”
”Ah, yes-the 'yet,' ” observed Themistocles, sarcastically. ”I had expected it. Well, I can imagine many motives for coming,-to betray our hopes to the Persians, or even because Athena has put some contrite manhood in your heart. You know, of course, that the resolution we pa.s.sed recalling the exiles did not extend pardon to traitors.”
”I know it.”
Themistocles flung himself into a chair. The admiral was in a rare condition for him,-truly at a loss to divine the best word and question.
”Sit also, Simonides,” his order, ”and you, once Alcmaeonid and now outlaw, tell why, after these confessions, I should believe any other part of your story?”
”I do not ask you to believe,”-Glaucon stood like a statue,-”I shall not blame you if you do the worst,-yet you shall hear-”
The admiral made an impatient gesture, commanding ”Begin,” and the fugitive poured out his tale. All the voyage from Phaleron he had been nerving himself for this ordeal; his composure did not desert now. He related lucidly, briefly, how the fates had dealt with him since he fled Colonus. Only when he told of his abiding with Leonidas Themistocles's gaze grew sharper.
”Tell that again. Be careful. I am very good at detecting lies.”
Glaucon repeated unfalteringly.
”What proof that you were with Leonidas?”
”None but my word. Euboulus of Corinth and the Spartans alone knew my name. They are dead.”
”Humph! And you expect me to accept the boast of a traitor with a price upon his head?”
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