252 HISTORICAL TALES.

day the devoted seven lay concealed. Hvening came
on. ‘The hour when they were to play their parts
had nearly arrived. They were in that state of
strained expectation that brings the nerves to the
surface, and started in sudden dread when a loud
knock came upon the door. They were still more
startled on hearing its purpose. A messenger had
come to bid Charon instantly to come to the presence
of the two feasting polemarchs.

What did it mean? Had the plot been divulged?
Had the timid Hipposthenidas betrayed them? At
any rate, there was but one thing to do; Charon
must go at once. But he, faithful soul, was most in
dread that his friends should suspect him of treachery.
He therefore brought his son, a highly promising
youth of fifteen, and put him in the hands of Pelopi-
das as a hostage for his fidelity.

“This is folly!” cried they all. “No one doubts
you. Take the boy away. It is enough for us to
face the danger; do not seek to bring the boy into
the same peril.”

Charon would not listen to their remonstrances,
but insisted on leaving the youth in their hands, and
hastened away to the house of the polemarchs. He
found them at the feast, already half intoxicated.
Word had been sent them from Athens that some
plot, they knew not what, was afloat. He was known
to be a friend of the exiles. He must tell them what
he knew about it.

Fortunately, the pair were too nearly drunk to
be acute. Their suspicions were very vague. Cha-
ron, aided by Phyllidas, had little trouble in satis-