They passed down the staircase by which the queen had gone, and entering the low passage, came to the small door which she had bolted behind her with so much difficulty.
The king pushed his weight against it, but it was still fastened.
"Thou art stronger than I, Zoroaster," he said, with a deep laugh.

"Open the door." The young warrior pushed heavily against the planks, and felt that one of them yielded.

Then, standing back, he dealt a heavy blow on the spot with his clenched fist; a second, and the plank broke in.

He put his arm through the aperture, and easily slipped the bolt back, and the door flew open.

The blood streamed from his hand.
"That is well done," said Darius as he entered.