"It is too late. Measures have already been taken. Besides, Chairo's messenger"--and as she looked at me squarely in the face her brow darkened--"is not accredited." I explained the situation as Chairo had stated it and urged Balbus to go himself to the House of Detention. But Neaera said quickly: "If Balbus were to leave this office unescorted he would be arrested. He is already compromised. Moreover, we cannot take our orders from a prisoner." "The House of Detention is strongly guarded," said I. "And we are strongly armed," answered Neaera. I felt that it was useless further to insist and proposed to retire, but Neaera whispered a word in Balbus's ear, and he said to me, "I think I shall ask you to stay with us a little while." "I shall not stay with you except compelled to do so by actual violence," I answered, with no slight indignation. "Then we shall have to use violence," answered Balbus. In a moment I was seized, bound, gagged, and hurried into an adjoining room where I was tied to a chair and a band was fastened about my eyes. In this uncomfortable position I remained for some hours. CHAPTER XII NEAERA'S IDEA OF DIPLOMACY At first I was aware from a hum of voices that others remained in the room with me; but after some time the hum ceased; next I heard the noise of artillery not far off. It did not last long, but I recognized the tearing screech of machine guns. When it was over, believing myself to be alone, I sought to extricate myself from my bonds. The cords, however, were so tightly fastened about my wrists that the skin was torn, and every effort I made to loosen them occasioned acute pain. I must have uttered a low cry, for I heard a voice I knew well say mockingly: "Does it hurt?" And the gag was removed from my mouth. "I thought I was alone," answered I. "We _are_ alone--quite alone," said Neaera. "Why don't you stick your staff in the ground and put the cock under the pot?" She was so close to me that I could feel her breath on my cheek. "Release my hands and I will," answered I. "Thank you, indeed! Do you think I have had you bound for that!" "I do not flatter myself; but as you are disposed to chat, tell me what is happening." She took the band off my eyes and looked bewitching as she mocked me: "Nothing is happening; and if there were something happening how should I know it?" "Who tampered with Chairo's carriage?" I asked the question suddenly in the hope that I should take her by surprise. "What carriage?" asked she with an air of innocence, but the color mounting to her cheek betrayed her. "Chairo says some one treacherously tampered with his carriage." "Nonsense," answered Neaera. "The accident to Chairo's carriage is not the first carriage accident in the world. Chairo is thinking only of himself." "How so?" "He wants Lydia; we want liberty." My suspicions were confirmed. "I suppose Chairo has made love to you--as have all the rest."