“I thank you, friend,” answered Saturius, rubbing his hands, “and, after all, things may be better than they seem. That insolent fool let out just now that the girl about whom there is all this bother has been smuggled away somewhere across the seas. When Domitian learns that he will be so mad with anger that he may be worked up to take a little vengeance of his own upon the person of the noble Marcus, who has thus contrived to trick him. Also Marcus shall not get the Pearl-Maiden, for the prince will cause her to be followed and brought back—to you, worthy Demetrius.” “Then,” answered Caleb, slowly, “he must seek for her, not across the sea, but in its depths.” “What do you mean?” “I mean that I have tidings that Pearl-Maiden escaped in the ship _Luna_ hard upon a month ago. This morning the captain and some mariners of the galley _Imperatrix_ arrived in Rome. They report that they met a great gale off Rhegium, and towards the end of it saw a vessel sink. Afterwards they picked up a sailor clinging to a piece of wood, who told them that the ship’s name was _Luna_ and that she foundered with all hands.” “Have you seen this sailor?” “No; he died of exhaustion soon after he was rescued; but I have seen the men of the galley, who brought me note of certain goods consigned to me in her hold. They repeated this story to me with their own lips.” “So, after all, she whom so many sought was destined to the arms of Neptune, as became a pearl,” reflected Saturius. “Well, well, as Domitian cannot be revenged upon Neptune he will be the more wroth with the man who sent her to that god. Now I go to tell him all these tidings and learn his mind.” “You will return and acquaint me with it, will you not?” asked Caleb, looking up. “Certainly, and at once. Our account is not yet balanced, most generous Demetrius.” “No,” answered Caleb, “our accounts are not yet balanced.” Two hours later the chamberlain reappeared in the office. “Well,” said Caleb, “how does it go?” “Ill, very ill for Marcus, and well, very well for those who hate him, as you and I do, friend. Oh! never have I seen my Imperial master so enraged. Indeed, when he learned that Pearl-Maiden had escaped and was drowned, so that he could have no hope of her this side the Styx, it was almost dangerous to be near to him. He cursed Titus for the lightness of his sentence; he cursed you; he cursed _me_. But I turned his wrath into the right channel. I showed him that for all these ills Marcus, and Marcus alone, is to blame, Marcus who is to pay the price of them with a three years’ pleasant banishment from Rome, which doubtless, will be remitted presently. I tell you that Domitian wept and gnashed his teeth at the thought of it, until I showed him a better plan—knowing that it would please you, friend Demetrius.” “What plan?” Saturius rose, and having looked round to see that the door was fastened, came and whispered into Caleb’s ear.