captive of war--and behold, surely he stands next to the king! One year
has gone. We have borne our grief in painful silence. The time for action
has arrived--he must be removed. Our combined wisdom must be brought to
bear on this one point, and no rest must we find until it is fully
accomplished."

The door opened and four persons silently walked into the apartment. They
were of middle age, and appeared to be on familiar terms with the two
presidents. They were all Medes, and appeared to be princes of the
provinces, and it was very soon evident that with the two superior
officers they were favorites.

"Let it be well understood," said Kinggron, "that this Daniel is greatly
in the favor of Cyrus; and, moreover, that he stands high in the
estimation of the king. Of Cyrus we have no present fear, seeing he is
out in the wars. This is well, for before him we would not dare to
complain. The king is in possession of far less power of discernment than
he, and with him, I trust, we must be successful."

"But," answered Bimbokrak, "we must have some cause--something specific to
offer as a ground of complaint against him before the king, or the
movement will utterly fail, and prove disastrous to ourselves."

"Thou art right, my good friend," answered the president, "perfectly
right. There must be a ground of complaint, and I trust we shall be able
to find it. We must find it!"



CHAPTER XXV.