"Oh! never mind the rest of the story, I understand it all. But you have not yet shown that Marcus was in the house, and if he was, bad taste as it may have been to bid against the prince Domitian, well, at a public auction it is lawful."
"Ye--es, but if Marcus has committed a crime, could he not be punished for that crime?"
"Without doubt. But what crime has Marcus committed?"
"The crime of being taken prisoner by the Jews and escaping from them with his life, for which, by an edict of Titus, whose laws are those of the Medes and Persians, the punishment is death, or at the least, banishment and degradation."
"Well, and who can prove all this?"
"Caleb can, because he took him prisoner."
"And where," asked Saturius in exasperation, "where is this thrice accursed cur, Caleb?"
"Here," answered Demetrius. "I am Caleb, O thrice blessed chamberlain, Saturius."
"Indeed," said Saturius. "Well, that makes things more simple. And now, friend Demetrius--you prefer that name, do you not--what do you propose?"
"I propose that the necessary documents should be procured, which, to your master, will not be difficult; that Marcus should be arrested in his house, put upon his trial and condemned under the edict of Titus, and that the girl, Pearl-Maiden, should be handed over to me, who will at once remove her from Rome."
"Good," said Saturius. "Titus having gone, leaving Domitian in charge of military affairs, the thing, as it chances, is easy, though any sentence that may be passed must be confirmed by Cæsar himself. And now, again farewell. If our man is in Rome, he shall be taken to-night, and to-morrow your evidence may be wanted."
"Will the girl be handed over to me then?"
"I think so," replied Saturius, "but of course I cannot say for certain, as there may be legal difficulties in the way which would hinder her immediate re-sale. However, you may rely upon me to do the best I can for you."
"It will be to your advantage," answered Caleb significantly. "Shall we say--fifty sestertia on receipt of the slave?"
"Oh! if you wish it, if you wish it, for gifts cement the hearts of friends. On account? Well, to a man with many expenses, five sestertia always come in useful. You know what it is in these palaces, so little pay and so much to keep up. Thank you, dear Demetrius, I will give you and the lady a supper out of the money--when you get her," he added to himself as he left the office.
When early on the following morning Caleb came to his warehouse from the dwelling where he slept, he found waiting for him two men dressed in the livery of Domitian, who demanded that he would accompany them to the palace of the prince.