Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.5, 1865).djvu/393

 ARATUS. 385 time, Dionysius, elder brother to Erginus and Diodes, who knew nothing at all of the matter, but much resembled Diocles, happened to pass by. Technon, upon this likeness, all being in accordance with what he had been told, asked him if he knew Erginus; and on his replying that he was his brother, taking it for granted that he was speaking with Diodes, not so much as ask- ing his name or staying for any other token, he gave him his hand, and began to discourse with him and ask him questions about matters agreed upon with Erginus. Dionysius, cunningly taking the advantage of his mis- take, seemed to understand him very well, and returning towards the city, led him on, still talking, without any suspicion. And being now near the gate, he was just about to seize on him, when by chance again Erginus met them, and, apprehending the cheat and the danger, beckoned to Technon to make his escape, and imme- diately both of them, betaking themselves to their heels, ran away as fast as they could to Aratus, who for all this despaired not, but immediately sent away Erginus to Dionysius to bribe him to hold his tongue. And he not only effected that, but also brought him along with him to Aratus. But, when they had him, they no longer left him at hberty, but binding him, they kept him close shut up in a room, whilst they prepared for executino; their design. All tilings being now ready, he commanded the rest of his forces to pass the night by their arms, and taking with him four hundred- chosen men, few of whom knew what they were going about, he led them to the gates by the temple of Juno. It was the midst of summer, and the moon was at full, and the night so clear Avithout any clouds, that there was danger lest the arms glisten- ing in the moonlight should discover them. But as the foremost of them came near the city, a mist came VOL. V. 25