In an hour Zeno returned from the bath. As he crossed the courtyard, all the slaves, chained and unchained, were sitting at their scanty meal, consisting of small pieces of coarse barley-bread, onions, and bad wine, sour as vinegar. He went into his writing-room to his accounts. There, as was well known, no one dared disturb him. This room--alone in the house--had instead of curtains a strong wooden door, which could be locked. The low window looked on a narrow lane, not on the principal street. He soon noticed an unusual noise, as of the screaming and running of many men in the distance. The door then opened gently. Astonished, displeased at the intrusion, Zeno turned. He was still more astonished to see old Thrax standing upon the threshold, who shut the door carefully, turned the key, and laid his finger on his lips, warning silence, for his master had angrily given a cry of displeasure. "Flee, master! Quick! Through the window! Thou art a dead man if they seize thee." "Who? Are the barbarians in the town?" "Thy slaves; they are in revolt; all, in the whole town. They will be here immediately." Horror seized the Byzantian. He was well aware what vengeance he had heaped up against himself. From the courtyard the wild cry already rang in his ears. He seized a large bag of gold pieces, and a little purse full of precious stones which lay before him on the counter of slate; he had been in the act of counting them. The old man pushed a stool to the window to help him to mount. Zeno started; it was with astonishment that he saw the old man actively engaged about his escape. "Why doest thou this for me?" The slave answered solemnly: "I do it for the sake of the Saviour; Johannes has taught me that my Lord Christ has said: 'Reward evil with good.'" "But whither, whither shall I flee?" "To the church! There is safety. Johannes will protect thee." "Johannes!" Zeno wondered if the Tribune had already carried out his bloody counsel. His knees shook. He was not able to climb the low breastwork of the window. Nearer and nearer sounded the uproar. He heard the voice of Calvus. "Mercy! mercy!" he cried. Immediately afterwards was heard a heavy fall. "Alas!" groaned Zeno, now at last lifted up by the slave to the window. "If they guess my hiding-place!" "Master, no one knows it but myself, and I"---- "Thou shalt never betray me!" cried the Byzantian, and he seized the dagger in his tunic, thrust it to the haft in the neck of the old man, and swung himself into the street. CHAPTER X. Meanwhile the straggle outside the gates was being decided. The barbarians some eighty horsemen, had several times approached the river, but never within bow-shot; they had also trotted towards the blockaded bridge, but had made no attack on that strong position. The eyes of the people on the ramparts and of the attacking party were directed intently towards this enemy in the _west_.