e, since you managed to injure your eye, your
back, and your leg all at once. There--I understand--these things will
happen--in the households of the Great where the floors are so slippery
that the most wary feet may slide. But that does not console the
sufferer whose hurt remains, does it?"

"No," answered Saturius with a snarl, "but until he is in a position to
relay the floors, he must find chalk for his sandals and ointment for
his back. I want the purchaser's name, and thought perhaps that you
might have it, for the old woman has vanished, and that fool of an
auctioneer knows absolutely nothing."

"Why do you want his name?"

"Because Domitian wants his head. An unnatural desire indeed that
devours him; still one which, to be frank, I find it important to
satisfy."

Of a sudden a great light seemed to shine in Caleb's mind, it was as
though a candle had been lit in a dark room.

"Ah!" he said. "And supposing I can show him how to get this head, even
how to get it without any scandal, do you think that in return he would
leave me the lady's hand? You see I knew her in her youth and take a
brotherly interest in her."

"Quite so, just like Domitian and the two thousand sestertia man
and, indeed, half the male population of Rome, who, when they saw her
yesterday were moved by the same family feeling. Well, I don't see why
he shouldn't. You see my master never cared for pearls that were not
perfectly white, or admired ladies upon whom report cast the slightest
breath of scandal. But he is of a curiously jealous disposition, and it
is, I think, the head that he requires, not the hand."

"Had you not better make yourself clear upon the point before we go any
further?" asked Caleb. "Otherwise I do not feel inclined to undertake a
very difficult and dangerous business."

"With pleasure. Now would you let me have your demands, in writing,
perhaps. Oh! of course, I understand--to be answered in writing."

Caleb took parchment and pen and wrote:

"A free pardon, with full liberty to travel, live and trade throughout
the Roman empire, signed by the proper authorities, to be granted to one
Caleb, the son of Hilliel, for the part he took in the Jewish war.

"A written promise, signed by the person concerned, that if the head
he desires is put within his reach the Jewish slave named Pearl-Maiden
shall be handed over at once to Demetrius, the merchant of Alexandria,
whose property she shall become absolutely and withou