“I want you, Eëtíon, to be with us in the Precinct as a son of the house. A son could not be more dear.” Dryas returned. “I’ve been through the rooms,” he said brightly. “There’s nothing worth while but this old thing in the storeroom.” It was Lycophron’s old lyre which Theria had used all these years. “Oh, yes, yes, I want it,” said Theria, taking it in her arms. “Are we all ready now?” asked Nikander. Theria began to look around. Her face flushed, then paled. Then she asked the question which Nikander had been dreading. “Where is Lycophron, Father? Why isn’t he with us?” Nikander put his arm about her and led her away from the others. “Oh,” she said in a frightened voice, “I remember now. Father, did he go clean away—away from us?” “My dear child, he is dead,” said Nikander, without tears. Then he told her of the kind oath of the kinsmen. Theria, too, must keep that secret. But she only clung to him, sobbing. Eëtíon came to comfort her and before long she was able to go with them out toward the Precinct. It was natural that the few remaining Delphians should cling as close as possible to the Great Temple. Nikander saw to his regret that the only obvious refuge for Theria was the Pythia House. It was the only building besides the temple itself upon the temple platform. Into the old prison place she must go. But Melantho went in with her. And there was also an old blind woman, too feeble for fight, and a young mother borne on a litter with her hour-old child. Nikander was allowed to go in and out as the one upon whom all depended, and in front of the house Eëtíon and Dryas kept guard. The great danger had broken down all conventions. Before nightfall Nikander took Melantho and Theria out through a small gate of the Precinct wall, which was just back of the Pythia House. He gave Theria the gate key. Then he led them up a little path amid the talus of the cliff to where there was a tomb against the hillside. Nikander had caused a narrow hole to be made in the side of the tomb where a thick laurel bush would hide it. The door of the tomb itself presented a sealed front. Hither Nikander had brought provisions and here—so near by and yet secure—he told Theria she must come with her mother should the Persians enter the Precinct. As they turned back toward the Pythia House he gave Theria a small sharp dagger. “You will not use it too soon I know, for you are brave. You will know the moment if it comes. It is for both of you.” With a strange sense that all this was quite a usual thing to do, they came back through the gate. At twilight Nikander, passing Theria’s door, saw her with her head down, weeping quietly. He came and sat beside her, questioning her. “It is Lycophron,” she said through her tears. “Oh, Father, I loved him! He was so good to me!”