deem it advisable to have his opinion; but, as he is out in the wars, I
cannot avail myself of that."

So the king's name was given to the fatal parchment; and, moreover, it
was sealed with the seal of the Medes and Persians.

"The thing is done," said Darius. "Is there anything more that ye wish to
communicate to the king?"

"Thy goodness is ever abundant, O king," answered Fraggood. "This is all
that we have to present this day. Will the king accept our united
gratitude for the kind manner in which we have been received into the
presence of the mightiest monarch that ever swayed a scepter? Long live
our matchless king! We shall no longer trespass on thy time. We return to
our respective stations, to carry out the pleasure of our king."

The conspirators, with bounding hearts, made their way in haste and
entered the house of President Fraggood, and there gave vent to the
fiendish joy of their malicious hearts at the success of their nefarious
scheme.

"Now we must be on the watch," said Kinggron, "or he will, after all,
escape. Let three of our number be appointed, and let them be called 'The
Union Safety Committee,' whose business it shall be to mark well the
movements of the old Hebrew, and prepare, for all emergencies, ready
answers for the ears of the king."

"Thou hast well thought," answered Fraggood, "for I apprehend that as yet
we are not quite out of danger. I fear this measure will be repulsive to
the king, when he thinketh of it in all its parts; and more repulsive