ou not heard the decree?"

"No new decree has reached my ears."

"Then I shall communicate to Belteshazzar all I know concerning the
matter." Which he proceeded to do.

"Many thanks to thee, kind officer. I have no desire to escape thy
vigilance. Only permit me to see the king, and, peradventure, things may
take a different course."

"Any favor I can show, without violating positive orders, will readily be
granted. So I will make thy pleasure known to the king."

Arioch hastened into the presence of the sovereign, and informed him that
one of the wise men prayed to be admitted into his presence.

"I desire not to see any of the vile race!" answered the king, with a
frown. "I was satisfied yesterday that they are a band of lying
impostors."

"May the king pardon his unworthy servant," replied Arioch; "but the
young man that seeks thy face to-day was not among the number yesterday."

"And by what name is he known?" frowningly inquired the king.

"His name, O king, is Belteshazzar, of the captivity of Judah."

"Belteshazzar! Belteshazzar!" exclaimed the king, suddenly rising to his
feet. "May the gods forgive me! Belteshazzar, whose wonderful display of
wisdom astonished the city on the day of examination? Why did I not think
of him sooner? Yea, and his three companions! and all at the palace!
close at hand! and far superior in wisdom to all others! Belteshazzar!
Yea, Arioch! By all means let the young Hebrew be admitted."

The captain of the guard hastened from the presence of the king to inform
Daniel of his success.

"Belteshazzar, the king grants thy petition, and thou art requested to
appear before him."

Daniel, with his usual calmness and dignity, walked into the presence of
the king, while Arioch was beckoned to retire.

"Belteshazzar," said the king, "thou art thus admitted into my presence,
and thou art at perfect liberty to speak freely on whatever subject
mostly occupies thy mind. I have heretofore been well pleased with thy
superior knowledge and wisdom, as well as that of thy comrades. The army
has of late occupied the most of my attention, and among the various
affairs of importance it is nothing astonishing if some of my best
subjects are partially overlooked. Proceed with thy request."

"A little over four years ago, O king, according to thy direction, thy
servant, with his three companions, was brought from the land of Judah to
the great city of Babylon. Hitherto, we have been the subject