th in the way, evil
odours rendered the stifling air more oppressive. But Hadassah went
forward as if insensible of any outward annoyance.

Hephzibah, a miserable-looking old woman, with eyes disfigured and half
blinded by ophthalmia, was standing in her doorway, throwing forth the
refuse of vegetables, in which she dealt. Anna had frequently seen her
before, and no introduction was needed.

"Where is Joab?" asked the handmaid, at the bidding of Hadassah.

The old crone through her bleared eyes peered curiously at the lady, as
she replied to the maid, "Joab has gone forth, as he always goes at
cockcrow, to lade his mule with leeks, and melons, and other vegetables
and fruits. He will not be back till night-fall."

Hadassah pressed her burning brow in thought, and then herself
addressed the old woman.

"Have you heard from Joab where dwells a week--an Athenian--Lycidas is
his name?"

"Lycidas? no; there be none of that name in our quarters," was the
slowly mumbled reply.

"Has Joab never spoken to you of a stranger, very goodly in person and
graceful in mien?" persisted Hadassah, grasping at the hope that the
singular beauty of Lycidas might make it less difficult to trace him.

Hephzibah shook her head, and showed her few remaining teeth in a grin.
"Were he goodly as David, I should hear and care nothing about it,"
said she.

"The stranger has a very open hand, he gives freely," observed Anna.
The words had an instant effect in improving the memory of the old
Jewess.

"Ay, ay," she said, brightening up; "I mind me of a stranger who gave
Joab gold when another would have given him silver. He! he! he! Our
mule is as strong a beast as any in the city, but it never brought us
such a day's hire before."

"When was that?" asked Hadassah.

"Two days since, when Joab had taken the youth to his home."

"Can you tell me where that home is?" inquired Hadassah with eagerness.

"Wait--let me think," mumbled Hephzibah.

Hadassah thrust a coin into the hand of seller of fruit. Hephzibah
turned it round and round, looking at it as if she thought that the
examination of the money would help her in giving her answer. It came
at last, but slowly: "Ay, I mind me that Joab said that he took the
stranger to the large house, with a court, on the left side of the west
gate, which Apollonius" (she muttered a curse) "broke down."

This was clue sufficient; and thankful at having gained one, Hadassah
with her attendant