ited her away. Be advised by
me and leave Rome quickly, lest worse things befall you."

"Aye," said Marcus, "I will leave Rome quickly, for how shall I abide
here who have lost my honour. Yet first it may please your master to
know that by now the lady whom he seeks is far across the sea. Now get
you gone, you fox, for I desire to be alone."

The face of Saturius became evil.

"Is that all you have to say?" he asked. "Am I to win no reward?"

"If you stay longer," said Marcus, "you will win one which you do not
desire."

Then Saturius went, but without the door he turned and shook his fist
towards the chamber he had left.

"Fox," he muttered. "He called me fox and gave me nothing. Well, foxes
may find some pickings on his bones."

The chamberlain's road to the palace ran past the place of business of
the merchant Demetrius. He stopped and looked at it. "Perhaps this one
will be more liberal," he said to himself, and entered.

In his private office he found Caleb alone, his face buried in his
hands. Seating himself he plunged into his tale, ending it with an
apology to Caleb for the lightness of the sentence inflicted upon
Marcus.

"Titus would do no more," he said; "indeed, were it not for the fear
of Domitian, he could have not have been brought to do so much, for he
loves the man, who has been a prefect of his bodyguard, and was deeply
grieved that he must disgrace him. Still, disgraced he is, aye, and he
feels it; therefore I trust that you, most generous Demetrius, who hate
him, will remember the service of your servant in this matter."

"Yes," said Caleb quietly, "fear not, you shall be well paid, for you
have done your best."

"I thank you, friend," answered Saturius, rubbing his hands, "and, after
all, things may be better than they seem. That insolent fool let out
just now that the girl about whom there is all this bother has been
smuggled away somewhere across the seas. When Domitian learns that he
will be so mad with anger that he may be worked up to take a little
vengeance of his own upon the person of the noble Marcus, who has thus
contrived to trick him. Also Marcus shall not get the Pearl-Maiden,
for the prince will cause her to be followed and brought back--to you,
worthy Demetrius."

"Then," answered Caleb, slowly, "he must seek for her, not across the
sea, but in its depths."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that I have tidings that Pearl-Maiden escaped in the ship _Luna_
hard upon a mon