And Phalinus said: That answer, then, we will
 carry back; but the King bade us tell you this also, that if you
 remain where you are, you have a truce, if you advance or
 retire, war. Inform us, therefore, on this point as well: shall
 you remain and is there a truce, or shall I report from you that
 there is war? Clearchus replied: Report, then, on this point
 that our view is precisely the same as the King’s. 
 What, then, is that? said Phalinus.
 Clearchus replied, If we remain, a truce, if we
 retire or advance, war. And Phalinus asked again, Shall I report truce or
 war? And Clearchus again made the same reply, Truce if we remain, if we retire or advance,
 war. What he meant to do, however, he did not
 indicate. So Phalinus and his companions
 departed. But the messengers from Ariaeus arrived—Procles and
 Cheirisophus only, for Menon stayed behind with Ariaeus; they
 reported that Ariaeus said there were many Persians of higher rank
 than himself and they would not tolerate his being king. But, the messengers continued, if you wish to make the return journey with him,
 he bids you come at once, during the night; otherwise, he says
 he will set out to-morrow morning. And Clearchus said: Well, let it be this way: if
 we come, even as you propose; if we do not, follow whatever
 course you may think most advantageous to yourselves. But
 what he meant to do, he did not tell them, either.