ch him in."

"But the council with Eurybiades?" implored Simonides, almost on his
knees.

"To the harpies with it! I asked Zeus for an omen. It comes--a fair one.
There is time to hear this deserter, to confound Adeimantus, and to save
Hellas too!"

Themistocles tossed his head. The wavering, the doubting frown was gone.
He was himself again. What he hoped for, what device lay in that
inexhaustible brain of his, Simonides did not know. But the sight itself
of this strong, smiling man gave courage. The officer reentered, with him
a young man, his face in part concealed by a thick beard and a peaked cap
drawn low upon his forehead. The stranger came boldly across to
Themistocles, spoke a few words, whereat the admiral instantly bade the
officer to quit the cabin.

CHAPTER XXVII

THE CRAFT OF ODYSSEUS

The stranger drew back the shaggy cap. Simonides and Themistocles saw a
young, well-formed man. With his thick beard and the flickering cabin
lamps it was impossible to discover more. The newcomer stood silent as if
awaiting remark from the others, and they in turn looked on him.

"Well," spoke the admiral, at length, "who are you? Why are you here?"

"You do not know me?"

"Not in the least, and my memory is good. But your speech now is Attic,
not Doric as they told me."

"It may well be Attic, I am Athenian born."

"Athenian? And still to me a stranger? Ah! an instant. Your voice is
familiar. Where have I heard it before?"

"The last time," rejoined the stranger, his tones rising, "it was a
certain night at Colonus. Democrates and Hermippus were with
you--likewise--"

Themistocles leaped back three steps.

"The sea gives up its dead. You are Glaucon son of--"

"Conon," completed the fugitive, folding his arms calmly, but the admiral
was not so calm.

"Miserable youth! What harpy, what evil god has brought you hither? What
prevents that I give you over to the crew to crucify at the foremast?"

"Nothing hinders! nothing"--Glaucon's voice mounted to shrillness--"save
that Athens and Hellas need all their sons this night."

"A loyal son you have been!" darted Themistocles, his lips curling. "Where
did you escape the sea?"

"I was washed on Astypalaea."

"Where have you been since?"

"In Sardis."

"Who protected you there?"

"Mardonius."

"Did the Persians treat you so shabbily that you were glad to desert
them?"

"They loaded m