came into existence. The hapless city which dark Hades
ingulfed really belonged to Antony, for in the days of its prosperity he
was its founder."

He measured the group with a defiant glance, and there was no lack of
evidences of horror; nay, one of the maid-servants shrieked aloud, for
the storm had just snatched a torch from the iron rings in the wall and
hurled it on the floor close beside the listener.

Suspense seemed to have reached its height. Yet it was evident that
Beryllus had not yet drawn his last arrow from the quiver.

The maid-servant, whose scream had startled the others, had regained her
composure and seemed eager to hear some other new and terrible omen, for,
with a beseeching glance, she begged the freedman not to withhold the
knew.

He pointed to the drops of perspiration which, spite of the wind sweeping
through the hall, covered her brow: "You must use your handkerchief.
Merely listening to my tale will dampen your skin. Stone statues are made
of harder material, but a soul dwells within them too. Their natures may
be harsher or more gentle; they bring us woe or heal heavy sorrows,
according to their mood. Every one learns this who raises his hands to
them in prayer. One of these statues stands in Alba. It represents Mark
Antony, in whose honour it was erected by the city. And it foresaw what
menaced the man whose stone double it is. Ay, open your ears! About four
days ago a ship's captain came to my master and in my presence this man
reported--he grew as pale as ashes while he spoke--what he himself had
witnessed. Drops of perspiration had oozed from the statue of Antony in
Alba. Horror seized all the citizens; men and women came to wipe the brow
and cheeks of the statue, but the drops of perspiration did not cease to
drip, and this continued several days and nights. The stone image had
felt what was impending over the living Mark Antony. It was a horrible
spectacle, the man said."

Here the speaker paused, and the group of listeners started, for the
clang of a gong was heard outside, and the next instant all were on their
feet hastening to their posts.

The officials in the magnificent hall had also risen. Here the silence
had been interrupted only by low whispers. The colour had faded from most
of the grave, anxious faces, and their timid glances shunned one another.

Archibius had first perceived, by the flames of the Pharos, the red
glimmer which announced the approach of the royal gal