cept Nicanor, who
still danced doggedly. It would have needed a quick eye to see that his
step had faltered, if never so slightly.

"This fellow hath a devil, lord!" said Hito, with an effort at
coherency. "Me he did force to dance until I am no better than dead. He
called me Julia and made me to dance with him so that my life fainted in
me. He is mad--most mad--and I will have him strung--"

Marius looked at Nicanor, and in his face was recognition and a
merciless triumph. He broke Hito's speech midway.

"Who is this fellow?"

"Lord, he is called Nicanor," said Hito. "And he is mad--"

Again Marius's face changed, back to its former haughty calm, in which
was mingled a certain satisfaction.

"So--Nicanor, is it? I have seen men seized this way before." He spoke
to Hito, but his eyes were on Nicanor. "Most commonly it is the effect
of over-severe discipline, but it may be that there are other causes.
Then if he is mad, friend Hito, it might be better not to slay him lest
the gods take vengeance for him upon you. Were it not best to take him
to the dungeons? So, you may see how long this madness of his will last;
and when it is past will be the time to punish." His tone assumed sudden
authority. "Look to it that you harm him in no manner, but hold him fast
where you may deliver him at your lord's word. It will be your life for
his life--remember that."

He gathered his cloak about him and strode away, and the three looked
after him with wonder in their faces. Hito was first to voice it.

"Our lives for his life, is it?" he grunted. "So, master slave, you
would be important, it seems. What have you done now, that our lord's
favorite should give such orders for you? You'll not cheat me for
long--promise you that! A little while and he'll forget you; so my turn
will come. Quartus, put the chains upon him and take him to the cells."

"Please you, we are told to harm him in no manner," Wardo ventured.
Nicanor had done many a good turn to the fair-haired Saxon, as one
comrade to another, and Wardo was not one to forget it. "Were he in
chains, he would soon fret himself into worse raving, and likely do
himself harm."

"Bring him without, then!" said Hito. The two seized Nicanor, and Wardo
winked at him behind Hito's back, as the latter got painfully to his
feet. Nicanor submitted, sullenly. He, who had trusted to no man save
himself, was forced to pin what faith he might to the hint of succor
that lay in Wardo's win