any sign as of wild beast or of dog that had torn it. Then there arose a
contention among us, each blaming the other, and accusing his fellows,
and himself denying that he had done the deed or was privy to it. And
doubtless we had fallen to blows but that one spake a word which made us
all tremble for fear, knowing that it must be as he said. For he said
that the thing must be told to thee, and in no wise hidden. So we drew
lots, and by evil chance the lot fell upon me. Wherefore I am here, not
willingly, for no man loveth him that bringeth ill tidings."

Then said the chief of the old men, "Consider, O King, for haply this
thing is from the Gods."

But the King cried, "Thinkest thou that the Gods care for such an one as
this dead man, who would have burnt their temples with fire, and laid
waste the land which they love, and set at naught the laws? Not so. But
there are men in this city who have long time had ill will to me, not
bowing their necks to my yoke; and they have persuaded these fellows
with money to do this thing. Surely there never was so evil a thing as
money, which maketh cities into ruinous heaps, and banisheth men from
their houses, and turneth their thoughts from good unto evil. But as for
them that have done this deed for hire, of a truth they shall not
escape, for I say to thee, fellow, if ye bring not here before my eyes
the man that did this thing, I will hang you up alive. So shall ye learn
that ill gains bring no profit to a man."

So the guard departed; but as he went he said to himself, "Now may the
Gods grant that the man be found; but however this may be, thou shalt
not see me come again on such errand as this, for even now have I
escaped beyond all hope." Notwithstanding, after a space he came back
with one of his fellows; and they brought with them the maiden Antigone,