th ago. This morning the captain and some mariners of the
galley _Imperatrix_ arrived in Rome. They report that they met a
great gale off Rhegium, and towards the end of it saw a vessel sink.
Afterwards they picked up a sailor clinging to a piece of wood, who told
them that the ship's name was _Luna_ and that she foundered with all
hands."

"Have you seen this sailor?"

"No; he died of exhaustion soon after he was rescued; but I have seen
the men of the galley, who brought me note of certain goods consigned to
me in her hold. They repeated this story to me with their own lips."

"So, after all, she whom so many sought was destined to the arms
of Neptune, as became a pearl," reflected Saturius. "Well, well, as
Domitian cannot be revenged upon Neptune he will be the more wroth with
the man who sent her to that god. Now I go to tell him all these tidings
and learn his mind."

"You will return and acquaint me with it, will you not?" asked Caleb,
looking up.

"Certainly, and at once. Our account is not yet balanced, most generous
Demetrius."

"No," answered Caleb, "our accounts are not yet balanced."

Two hours later the chamberlain reappeared in the office.

"Well," said Caleb, "how does it go?"

"Ill, very ill for Marcus, and well, very well for those who hate him,
as you and I do, friend. Oh! never have I seen my Imperial master so
enraged. Indeed, when he learned that Pearl-Maiden had escaped and was
drowned, so that he could have no hope of her this side the Styx, it was
almost dangerous to be near to him. He cursed Titus for the lightness of
his sentence; he cursed you; he cursed _me_. But I turned his wrath
into the right channel. I showed him that for all these ills Marcus, and
Marcus alone, is to blame, Marcus who is to pay the price of them with
a three years' pleasant banishment from Rome, which doubtless, will be
remitted presently. I tell you that Domitian wept and gnashed his teeth
at the thought of it, until I showed him a better plan--knowing that it
would please you, friend Demetrius."

"What plan?"

Saturius rose, and having looked round to see that the door was
fastened, came and whispered into Caleb's ear.

"Look you, after sunset to-night, that is within two hours, Marcus is
to be put out of his prison and conducted to the side door of his own
house, that beneath the archway, where he is ordered to remain until
he leaves Rome. In this house is no one except an old man, the steward
Stephan