“In the name of the Senate and people of Rome I warn you that this man, Beltrezzor of Persia, is a Roman citizen.” Silence was partly restored; all eyes glaring upon the speaker as he continued. “Not by birth nor by purchase, but by special decree of the Senate for commercial services rendered the Roman empire by this man, one of the wealthiest and noblest men of the East. I am his agent and correspondent for Antioch. I have seen him before. I know him, and I can prove what I say.” “Release the Roman citizen,” said Lelius in a proud and haughty tone, rising from his seat. Whilst he was speaking Beltrezzor sank gently to the ground. He had been released by an authority higher than that of Rome. “He is dead!” exclaimed a thousand voices at once. “He died of fear,” said Simon Magus. “He died of joy,” said the voice from the benches; “for that face is the face of an angel.” [Illustration: Ornament] [Illustration: Ornament] XXIX. _CHRISTIAN CANDLES._ [Illustration: Initial] Of all these things I was ignorant. I was bound and in prison, helpless, unfriended, unable to communicate with my friends. I bitterly repented having disobeyed my uncle’s orders. I cursed Demetrius and Simon Magus and Helena and Magistus. I cursed myself. Mary perhaps was devoured by the lion! Or if saved, she and Martha and Beltrezzor were out on the blue sea, and I left to perish in my folly. A day or two afterward I observed that our prison ward had received a considerable accession of captives. I was then told by the keeper that a female heretic condemned to the lion had escaped, and that Lelius had ordered the arrest of all the Christians in the city, hoping to ferret out the parties who had assisted her. How my heart leaped for joy! My sister was saved! My own captivity became a little more endurable. I delighted to think of my friends sailing away over the white-crested waves for the happy land of Gaul. I seemed to feel the fresh sea wind in my own hair and to hear the cool water dashing against the sides of their vessel. Alas! my own fate, how different! I expected every hour to see the ugly and cunning face of Magistus peering in at my door. Several days and nights passed, and he did not come. I knew he had not forgotten me. I knew he was only preparing himself for some extraordinary villainy and cruelty against me. I was right. Late one evening my door suddenly opened, and Magistus entered the dungeon, followed by Ethopus. The latter bore an immense roll of some kind of cloth under his arm. Magistus stood contemplating me for several minutes with folded arms and the old diabolical sneer on his face. Ethopus stepped behind him with downcast eyes. “Now,” he said, slowly, “for the greatest, sweetest revenge which any man in this world has ever enjoyed.