“So the prince is still my enemy?”

“Yes, and more bitter than before, since he cannot find the Pearl-Maiden, and is sure that you have spirited 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 month 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.”