"If one like her should happen to fall into the hands of a few poor convicts they might win their freedom and a great ransom," suggested a low-browed fellow with evil, cunning eyes. "And be drawn asunder by wild oxen for their pains." "We must die anyway if we are caught." "It is a good plan." They drank again for several minutes in silence, evidencing that the plan was milling in their minds. "The new Caesar should pay an enormous ransom for his bride." The youth rose eagerly to his feet. "I will lead you to the home of Septimus Favonius and guarantee that they will open the gate for me and let me in, as I know what to say. All I need is a bundle and I will tell the slave that it contains goods that my father wishes Favonia to inspect." "You are not such a fool as you look." "No, and I shall have a large share of the ransom for my part in it," said the youth. "If there is any ransom, we shall share and share alike." * * * * * Night was falling as Tarzan's army halted before the defenses of Castrum Mare. Cassius Hasta, to whom the reduction of the fort had been entrusted, disposed his forces and supervised the placing of his various engines of war. Within the city Erich von Harben and Mallius Lepus discussed the details of their plans. It was the judgment of Lepus to wait until after midnight before making any move to leave their hiding-place. "The streets will be deserted then," said Mallius Lepus, "except for an occasional patrol upon the principal avenue, and these may be easily eluded, since the torches that they carry proclaim their approach long before there is any danger of their apprehending us. I have the key to the gate of my uncle's garden, which insures that we may enter the grounds silently and unobserved." "Perhaps you are right," said von Harben, "but I dread the long wait and the thought of further inaction seems unbearable." "Have patience, my friend," said Mallius Lepus. "Fulvus Fupus will be too busy with his new Caesarship to give heed to aught else for some time, and Favonia will be safe from him, certainly for the next few hours at least." And as they discussed the matter, a youth knocked upon the door of the home of Septimus Favonius. Beneath the shadow of the trees along the wall darker shadows crouched. A slave bearing a lamp came to the door in answer to the knocking and, speaking through a small grille, asked who was without and what the nature of his business. "I am the son of Tabernarius," said the youth. "I have brought fabrics from the shop of my father that the daughter of Septimus Favonius may inspect them." The slave hesitated. "You must remember me," said the youth. "I have been here often," and the slave held the light a little bit higher and peered through the grille. "Yes," he said, "your face is familiar. I will go and ask my mistress if she wishes to see you. Wait here."