Why had he not already struck?
What cunning held his hand?
Unable at length to sit in idleness, he tried to ease his conscience by sending a warning to Basil, using for this purpose the trustworthy slave who, in many disguises, was wont to travel with his secret messages.

This man wore false hair so well fixed upon his head that it could not attract attention; the letter he had to deliver was laid beneath an artificial scalp.
'Be on your guard,' thus Marcian wrote.

'Some one has made known to the Greeks that you are arming men, and for what purpose.

Delay no longer than you must in joining the King.

In him is your only hope, if hope there still can be.