in the Via Agrippa, which is known as the
'Fortunate House,' where doubtless, she now is."

"Marcus," said Saturius. "Why, he was reported dead, and the matter of
the succession to his great estates is now being debated, for he was the
heir of his uncle, Caius, the pro-consul, who amassed a vast fortune
in Spain. Also after the death of the said Caius, this Marcus was a
favourite of the late divine Nero, who constituted him guardian of some
bust of which he was enamoured. In short, he is a great man, if, as
you say, he still lives, whom even Domitian will find it hard to meddle
with. But how do you know all this?"

"Through my friend Caleb. Caleb followed the black hag, Nehushta, and
the beautiful Pearl-Maiden to the very house of Marcus, which he saw
them enter. Marcus who was her lover, yonder in Judaea----"

"Oh! never mind the rest of the story, I understand it all. But you have
not yet shown that Marcus was in the house, and if he was, bad taste as
it may have been to bid against the prince Domitian, well, at a public
auction it is lawful."

"Ye--es, but if Marcus has committed a crime, could he not be punished
for that crime?"

"Without doubt. But what crime has Marcus committed?"

"The crime of being taken prisoner by the Jews and escaping from them
with his life, for which, by an edict of Titus, whose laws are those
of the Medes and Persians, the punishment is death, or at the least,
banishment and degradation."

"Well, and who can prove all this?"

"Caleb can, because he took him prisoner."

"And where," asked Saturius in exasperation, "where is this thrice
accursed cur, Caleb?"

"Here," answered Demetrius. "I am Caleb, O thrice blessed chamberlain,
Saturius."

"Indeed," said Saturius. "Well, that makes things more simple. And
now, friend Demetrius--you prefer that name, do you not--what do you
propose?"

"I propose that the necessary documents should be procured, which, to
your master, will not be difficult; that Marcus should be arrested in
his house, put upon his trial and condemned under the edict of Titus,
and that the girl, Pearl-Maiden, should be handed over to me, who will
at once remove her from Rome."

"Good," said Saturius. "Titus having gone, leaving Domitian in charge of
military affairs, the thing, as it chances, is easy, though any sentence
that may be passed must be confirmed by Caesar himself. And now, again
farewell. If our man is in Rome, he shall be taken to-night, and
to-m