ed.

Nessus was overjoyed at the success of the stratagem, and Malchus
himself could hardly believe that he had escaped from the terrible
danger which threatened him. Nessus and the Arab at once returned to the
citadel. It was agreed that the former had better continue his work as
usual until the evening, and then ask for his discharge on the plea that
he had received a message requiring his presence in his native village,
for it was thought that suspicion might be excited were he to leave
suddenly without drawing his pay, and possibly a search might be
instituted in the city to discover his whereabouts.

At nightfall he returned, and then went to the house of one of the
leaders of the Barcine party with a message from Malchus to tell him
where he was, and the events which had occurred since his landing at
Carthage, and asking him to receive him privately in two hours' time, in
order that he might consult him as to the best plan to be followed.

Nessus returned saying that Manon was at home and was awaiting him, and
the two at once set out for his house. Manon, who was a distant relation
of Malchus, received him most warmly, and listened in astonishment to
his story of what had befallen him. Malchus then explained the mission
with which Hannibal had charged him, and asked his advice as to the best
course to be adopted. Manon was silent for a time.

"Hanno's faction is all powerful at present," he said, "and were
Hannibal himself here I doubt whether his voice could stir the senate
into taking action such as is needed. The times have been hard, and
Hanno and his party have lavished money so freely among the lower
classes that there is no hope of stirring the populace up to declare
against him. I think it would be in the highest degree dangerous
were we, as you propose, to introduce you suddenly to the senate as
Hannibal's ambassador to them, and leave you to plead his cause. You
would obtain no hearing. Hanno would rise in his place and denounce you
as one already condemned by the tribunals as an enemy to the republic,
and would demand your instant execution, and, as he has a great majority
of votes in the senate, his demand would be complied with. You would,
I am convinced, throw away your life for no good purpose, while your
presence and your mysterious escape from prison would be made the
pretense for a fresh series of persecutions of our partisans. I
understand as well as you do the urgency for reinforcements bein