Zminis explained that great Caesar himself had commanded his attendance just as he hoped to find the traces of the criminal, and that, while he was waiting, more than three precious hours had been lost.  At this Caracalla broke out in a fury: 

“Catch the villain!  And let me see his insolent rubbish.  Where are your eyes?  You bungling louts ought to protect me against the foul brood that peoples this city, and their venomous jests.  Past grievances are forgotten.  Set the painter’s father and brother at liberty.  They have had a warning.  Now I want something new.  Something new, I say; and, above all, let me see the ringleaders in chains; the man who nailed up the rope, and the caricaturists.  We must have them, to serve as an example to the others.”

Aristides thought that the moment had now come for displaying his severity, and he respectfully but decidedly represented to Caesar that he would advise that the gem-cutter and his son should be kept in custody.  They were well-known persons, and too great clemency would only aggravate the virulence of audacious tongues.  The painter was free, and if his relatives were also let out of prison, there was nothing to prevent their going off to the other end of the world.  Alexandria was a seaport, and a ship would carry off the criminals before a man could turn round.

At this the emperor wrathfully asked him whether his opinion had been invited; and the cunning Egyptian said to himself that Caracalla was anxious to spare the father and his sons for the daughter’s sake.  And yet Caesar would surely wish to keep them in safety, to have some hold over the girl; so he lied with a bold face, affirming that, in obedience to the law of the land, he had removed Heron and Philip, at any rate for the moment, beyond the reach of Caesar’s mercy.  They had in the course of the night been placed on board a galley and were now on the way to Sardinia.  But a swift vessel should presently be sent to overtake it and bring them back.

And the informer was right, for Caesar’s countenance brightened.  He did, indeed, blame the Egyptian’s overhasty action; but he gave no orders for following up the galley.

Then, after reflecting for a short time, he said: 

“I do not find in either of you what I require; but at a pinch we are fain to eat moldy bread, so I must need choose between you two.  The one who first brings me that clay figure, and the man who modeled it, in chains and bonds, shall be appointed chief of the night-watch.”

Meanwhile Alexander had entered the room.  As soon as Caracalla saw him, he beckoned to him, and the artist informed him that he had made good use of his time and had much to communicate.  Then he humbly inquired as to the clay figure of which Caesar was speaking, and Caracalla referred him to Zminis.  The Egyptian repeated what the Magian had told him.