ory without mentioning Barine, and
the peril threatening her also. Finally, with all the warmth of a really
anxious heart, she entreated him to heed her warning.

Even while she was still speaking, the friends exchanged significant
glances; but scarcely had the last words fallen from her lips when the
giant figure of the freedman passed through the door, which had remained
open.

"You here, Pyrrhus?" cried the wounded man kindly.

"Yes, master, it is I," replied the stalwart fellow, twirling his sailor
hat still faster. "Listening isn't exactly my trade, and I don't usually
enter your presence uninvited; but I couldn't help hearing what came
through the door, and the croaking of the old raven drew me in."

"I wish you had heard more cheerful things," replied Dion; "but the
brown-skinned bird of ill omen usually sings pleasant songs, and they all
come from a faithful heart. But when my silent Pyrrhus opens his mouth so
far, something important must surely follow, and you can speak freely in
her presence."

The sailor cleared his throat, gripped his coarse felt hat in his sinewy
hands, and said, in such a tremulous, embarrassed tone that his heavy
chin quivered and his voice sometimes faltered: "If the woman is to be
trusted, you must leave here, master, and seek some safe hiding-place. I
came to offer one. On my way I heard your name. It was said that you had
wounded the Queen's son, and it might cost you your life. Then I thought:
'No, no, not that, so long as Pyrrhus lives, who taught his young master
Dion to use the oars and to set his first sail--Pyrrhus and his family.'
Why repeat what we both know well enough? From my first boat and the land
on our island to the liberty you bestowed upon us, we owe everything to
your father and to you, and a blessing has rested upon your gift and our
labour, and what is mine is yours. No more words are needed. You know our
cliff beyond the Alveus Steganus, north of the great harbour--the Isle of
Serpents. It is quickly gained by any one who knows the course through
the water, but is as inaccessible to others as the moon and stars. People
are afraid of the mere name, though we rid the island of the vermin long
ago. My boys Dionysus, Dionichus, and Dionikus--they all have 'Dion' in
their name--are waiting in the fish market, and when it grows dusk--"
Here the wounded man interrupted the speaker by holding out his hand and
thanking him warmly for his fidelity and kindness, though