idea. Nothing was now to be done, but to procure the removal of Pollux
from Alexandria, or to render him in some way incapable of damaging him,
and this he might perhaps be able to do by the instrumentality of the
wrathful Emperor.

It even came into his mind to hire some Egyptian rascal to have him
assassinated; but he was a citizen of peaceful habits, to whom a breach
of the law was an abomination and he cast the thought from him as too
horrible and base. He was not over-nice in his choice of means, he knew
men, was very capable of finding his way up the backstairs, and did not
hesitate when need arose to calumniate others boldly, and thus he had
before now won the day in many a battle against his fellow-artists of
distinction. His hope of succeeding in the tripping of a scholar of
no great repute, and of rendering him harmless so long as the Emperor
should remain in Alexandria, was certainly not an over-bold one. He
hated the gate-keeper's son far less than he feared him, and he did not
conceal from himself that if his attack on Pollux should fail and the
young fellow should succeed in proving independently of what he was
capable he could do nothing to prevent his loudly proclaiming all that
he had done in these last years for his master.

His attention was caught by the slaves in Euphorion's little house,
who were carrying the household chattels of the evicted family into the
street. He had soon learnt what was going forward, and highly pleased
at the ill-will manifested by Hadrian towards the parents of his foe,
he stood looking on, and after brief reflection desired a negro to call
Pollux to speak to him.

The master and scholar exchanged greetings with a show of haughty
coolness and Papias said:

"You forgot to bring back the things which yesterday, without asking my
leave, you took out of my wardrobe. I must have them back to-day."

"I did not take them for myself, but for the grand lord in there, and
his companion. If any thing is missing apply to him. It grieves me
that I should have taken your silver quiver among them, for the Roman's
companion has lost it. As soon as I have done here, I will take home all
of your things that I can recover, and bring away my own. A good many
things belonging to me are still lying in your workshop."

"Good," replied Papias. "I will expect you an hour before sunset, and
then we will settle every thing," and without any farewell he turned his
back on his pupil and went in