rue they were never of your faith. Who told you about me?"

"One, my lord Marcus, to whom you have behaved well," answered Cyril
gravely.

Marcus sprang from his seat.

"Do you mean--do you mean--?" he began and paused, looking round him
fearfully.

"Yes," replied the bishop in a whisper, "I mean Miriam. Fear not, she
and her companions are in my charge, and for the present, safe. Seek to
know no more, lest perchance their secret should be wrung from you. I
and her brethren in the Lord will protect her to the last."

Marcus began to pour out his thanks.

"Thank me not," interrupted Cyril, "for what is at once my duty and my
joy."

"Friend Cyril," said Marcus, "the maid is in great danger. I have just
learned that Domitian's spies hunt through Rome to find her, who, when
she is found, will be spirited to his palace and a fate that you can
guess. She must escape from Rome. Let her fly to Tyre, where she has
friends and property. There, if she lies hid a while, she will be
molested by none."

The bishop shook his head.

"I have thought of it," he said, "but it is scarcely possible. The
officers at every port have orders to search all ships that sail with
passengers, and detain any woman on them who answers to the description
of her who was called Pearl-Maiden. This I know for certain, for I also
have my officers, more faithful perhaps than those of Caesar," and he
smiled.

"Is there then no means to get her out of Rome and across the sea?"

"I can think of only one, which would cost more money than we poor
Christians can command. It is that a ship be bought in the name of some
merchant and manned with sailors who can be trusted, such as I know how
to find. Then she could be taken aboard at night, for on such a vessel
there would be no right of search nor any to betray."

"Find the ship and trusty men and I will find the money," said Marcus,
"for I still have gold at hand and the means of raising more."

"I will make inquiries," answered Cyril, "and speak with you further on
the matter. Indeed it is not necessary that you should give this money,
since such a ship and her cargo, if she comes there safely, should sell
at a great profit in the Eastern ports. Meanwhile have no fear; in the
protection of God and her brethren the maid is safe."

"I hope so," said Marcus devoutly. "Now, if you have the time to spare,
tell me of this God of whom you Christians speak so much but who seems
so far away from man."