And away the patriots hurried with their complaint to the king.

The monarch was surrounded by a large number of his nobles, who were loud
in their congratulations at the complete success that had crowned the
day.

An officer in uniform came forward, and bowed low in the presence of the
king.

"What is thy pleasure, Arioch!" asked Nebuchadnezzar.

"Two men have approached the guard, O king, greatly desiring to be
admitted into thy presence."

"Let them be admitted!" was the answer.

With anything but ease of manner, Scribbo and Shagoth walked into the
royal presence.

"And what have ye to communicate?" inquired his majesty, eying them as if
not quite satisfied with their appearance.

"O king, live forever!" replied the Chaldeans. "Thou, O king, hast made a
decree that every man shall fall down and worship the golden image; and
whoso falleth not down and worshipeth should be cast into a fiery
furnace. There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of
the province of Babylon--Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego--these men, O
king, have not regarded thee; they serve not thy gods, nor worship the
golden image which thou hast set up."