“Carpadon, one of the chief attendants, ordered me to remain here to admit him on his return.  I knew not there was harm in it,” the slave said.

“Is it the first time you have kept watch for such a purpose?”

“No, my lord, some six or seven times he has gone out late.”

“Do you know the cause of his absence?”

“No, my lord, it would not become a slave to question one of the chief attendants of my lord Hannibal as to why he goes or comes.”

The man’s manner was so natural, and his surprise at the interest which one of the rank of Malchus showed in the doings of an attendant so genuine, that Malchus was convinced he knew nothing of any enterprise in which the man who had placed him there might be engaged.

“Very well,” he said, “I will believe what you tell me.  Now, do you resume your place at the door, and open it as usual at his signal.  Say no word and make no sign which may lead him to know of our presence here.  Mind, my eye will be upon you, and your life will pay for any treachery.”

Malchus with four of his men now took post on one side of the door, standing well back in the shadow so that their presence would not be noticed by anyone entering.  Trebon with the remaining four men took up a similar position on the other side of the doorway.

Two hours passed.  At length a low tap followed by two others was heard at the door.  The slave at once opened it.  Carpadon entered, and with a sudden movement threw one arm round the slave’s neck and with the other stabbed him to the heart.  Then he opened the door wide, and said in a low tone: 

“Enter, all is safe.”

In a moment a dark mass of men poured in at the door.  The matter was more serious than Malchus had expected.  He had looked for the entry perhaps of three or four men, and had intended to close in behind them and cut them off; but here were a score at least, and how many more might be outside he knew not.  He therefore gave the signal by shouting “Carthage,” and at once with his followers fell upon one flank of the natives, for such their dress showed them to be, while Trebon attacked them on the other.  There was a shout of surprise and alarm at the unexpected onslaught, and several were cut down at once.  The others, drawing their swords, began to defend themselves, trying at the same time to retreat to the door, through which, however, many others were still pressing in.  For a few minutes a severe fight went on, and the numbers and desperation of Carpadon’s followers began to tell, and, in spite of the efforts of Malchus and the Numidians, they would have been forced to fall back and allow the others to pass out, had not help been at hand.

The shouting and clashing of weapons had awakened the palace, and the officer of the guard with ten of his men, some of them bearing torches, came running at full speed from their post at the chief entrance.  As the guard came up and stood gazing uncertain what to do, or among whom the conflict was raging, Malchus for a moment drew out from the fray.