Nehushta thought a smile nickered on Zoroaster's pale face and his flashing dark blue eyes met hers for a moment, and then the end began.

Slowly, and by imperceptible degrees, Zoroaster forced the king down before him, doubling him backwards with irresistible strength, till it seemed as though bone and sinew and muscle must be broken and torn asunder in the desperate resistance.

Then, at last, when his head almost touched the ground, Darius groaned and his limbs relaxed.

Instantly Zoroaster threw him on his back and kneeled with his whole weight upon his chest,--the gilded scales of the corselet cracking beneath the burden, and he held the king's hands down on either side, pinioned to the floor.

Darius struggled desperately twice and then lay quite still.