As soon as they were alone, Darius seized both his friend's hands, and said: "To-day is the third time that things have happened in the heavens, which bode no good for you.

Your evil star has approached your favorable constellation so nearly, that a mere novice in astrology could see some serious danger was at hand.

Be on your guard, Bartja, and start for Egypt to-day; the stars tell me that the danger is here on the Euphrates, not abroad." "Do you believe implicitly in the stars ?" "Implicitly.

They never lie." "Then it would be folly to try and avoid what they have foretold." "Yes, no man can run away from his destiny; but that very destiny is like a fencing-master--his favorite pupils are those who have the courage and skill to parry his own blows.

Start for Egypt to-day, Bartja." "I cannot--I haven't taken leave of my mother and Atossa." "Send them a farewell message, and tell Croesus to explain the reason of your starting so quickly." "They would call me a coward." "It is cowardly to yield to any mortal, but to go out of the way of one's fate is wisdom." "You contradict yourself, Darius.