law were ever on the watch, and that to be
suspected of entering into communication with the prisoners would be
sufficient to ensure condemnation and death.

It was the sight of these gratings, and the thought of the dismal cells
below, which had increased the aversion which Malchus had felt as a boy
to enter the bloodstained temple, little as he had dreamed that the day
would come when he himself would be lying a prisoner in one of them. He
knew that it was useless for him to attempt by shouting to inform his
friends in the city of his presence there. The narrowness of the air
passage and the closeness of the grating above deadened and confused the
voice, unless to a person standing immediately above the opening, and
as the visitors to the temple carefully avoided the vicinity of the
gratings, it would be but a waste of breath to attempt to call their
attention.

As to escape it was out of the question. The cell was cut in the solid
rock. The door was of enormous strength, and even could that have been
overcome, there were many others which would have to be passed before he
could arrive at the entrance to the dungeon.

In a short time a Nubian entered, bearing some bread and a pitcher
of water. Malchus addressed him; but the negro opened his mouth, and
Malchus saw that his tongue had been cut out, perhaps in childhood,
perhaps as a punishment for a crime; but more probably the man was a
slave captured in war, who had been mutilated to render him a safe and
useful instrument of the officers of the law.

Three hours later the door again opened, and two men appeared. They
ordered Malchus to follow them, and led him through a number of
meandering passages, until at last, opening a door, they ushered him
into a large chamber. This was lighted by torches. At a table in the
centre of the room were seated seven figures. In the one seated in a
chair very slightly above the others Malchus at once recognized Hanno.
His companions were all leading men of his faction.

"Malchus, son of Hamilcar," Hanno said, "what have you to say why you
thus secretly come to Carthage?"

"I come not secretly," Malchus replied, "I come hither as the messenger
of Hannibal to the senate. I am charged by him to lay before them
the exact situation in Italy, to tell them how much he has already
accomplished, and what yet remains to be done, and to explain to them
the need there is that reinforcements should be despatched to him to
carry out his gr