t question."

"That's all," he said, giving the paper to Saturius. "The Caleb spoken
of is a Jewish friend of mine to whom I am anxious to do a good turn,
without whose help and evidence I should be quite unable to perform my
share of the bargain. Being very shy and timid--his nerves were much
shattered during the siege of Jerusalem--he will not stir without this
authority, which, by the way, will require the signature of Titus Caesar,
duly witnessed. Well, that is merely an offering to friendship; of
course _my_ fee is the reversion to the lady, whom I desire to restore
to her relations, who mourn her loss in Judaea."

"Precisely--quite so," replied Saturius. "Pray do not trouble to
explain further. I have always found those of Alexandria most excellent
merchants. Well, I hope to be back within two hours."

"Mind you come alone. As I have told you, everything depends upon this
Caleb, and if he is in any way alarmed there is an end of the affair.
He only has a possible key to the mystery. Should it be lost your patron
will never get his head, and I shall never get my hand."

"Oh! bid the timid Caleb have no fear. Who would wish to harm a dirty
Jewish deserter from his cause and people? Let him come out of his sewer
and look upon the sun. The Caesars do not war with carrion rats. Most
worthy Demetrius, I go swiftly, as I hope to return again with all you
need."

"Good, most noble Saturius, and for both our sakes--remember that the
palace floor is slippery, and do not get another fall, for it might
finish you."

"I am in deep waters, but I think that I can swim well," reflected Caleb
as the door closed behind his visitor. "At any rate it gives me a chance
who have no other, and that prince is playing for revenge, not love.
What can Miriam be to him beyond the fancy of an hour, of which a thief
has robbed him? Doubtless he wishes to kill the thief, but kings do not
care for faded roses, which are only good enough to weave the chaplet of
a merchant of Alexandria. So I cast for the last time, let the dice fall
as it is fated."

Very shortly afterwards in the palace of Domitian the dice began to
fall. Humbly, most humbly, did that faithful chamberlain, Saturius,
lay the results of his mission before his august master, Domitian,
who suffering from a severe bilious attack that had turned his ruddy
complexion to a dingy yellow, and made the aspect of his pale eyes more
unpleasant than usual, was propped up among cushions