‘I will but give a few directions to these fellows concerning the landing of my merchandise to‐night, and then I will proceed with you speedily.’ Stepping up to one of the coastguards, he spent a minute in conversation. Then he intimated he was ready, and proceeded up the steps before described, followed by the adventurous lady and her maid. No item of all this scene escaped the keen senses of Afer, who had varied his position in accordance with the circumstances. Every outspoken word he had heard, and whatever the furtive flash of the lanterns had revealed, he had duly observed. Surprised with what he had witnessed, and still more puzzled to account for such an unexpected visitor, he lost no time in following up the path taken by the females and their escort. ‘I might have known that yon galley bore something strange about her,’ he murmured to himself as he went along, ‘but for the fair Plautia to skip ashore on the sly in Capreae, was a thing undreamt of. What brings her here? She comes in brave company, however, and she seems to know it; but whether she is here on Caesar’s account, or the Prefect’s, or her own, remains to be seen. The presence of the worthy Tigellinus seems to smack of Tiberius. Sejanus would hardly risk his billing and cooing with his royal sweetheart by such a presence. But, whatever be the reason, she seems to agree wonderfully with the arrangement. Time will soon show everything.’ Having climbed up to the level road above, a very few minutes brought them upon the verge of the little town of Capreae, when Tigellinus swerved to the left, which caused them to avoid the houses. This turn led them once more back to the south shore, or rather to the steep cliffs which formed the coast‐line. Tigellinus proceeded to the extreme edge, where they came suddenly upon a low, flat‐roofed house, flanked by fruit‐trees and gardens, and nestling behind a face of the hill which rose up behind it. After a sharp knock, the self‐designated merchant entered the house, followed by the two females. The knight, who dogged their steps, waited, and when, after a lapse of a few minutes, Tigellinus came out alone, and went rapidly past him in the gloom, he also wended his way toward the town, where he had his lodging. ‘A very snug retreat, and now I suppose the jackal is off to the lion,’ he said. CHAPTER III.