"If I am to know the world's way," Marsyas said to himself, "I can use it, if need be." He did not visit another usurer, but on the following day went to those places likely to be the haunts of Peter. When, presently, he discovered the old man near a fountain, Marsyas did not attempt to catch his eye. But one of Peter's servants touched him on the arm and told him that the master beckoned, and he hastened to the old man's side. "Who is thy master?" Peter asked. Marsyas winced, but restrained a declaration of his free-born state. "A Roman citizen who is preparing to return to Italy." "A Roman!" Peter repeated. "But thou art a Jew, or the blood of the race in thee lies." "A Jew without taint of other blood in all the line." "Art satisfied with thy service--serving a Roman?" was the demand. "None has a better lord!" replied Marsyas quietly, but with an inward delight in leading the old man on. "But it should be more lawful for thee to serve a Jew," Peter declared. "A Roman's slave, a slave for ever; a Jew's slave, a slave but six years--" Marsyas could rest no longer under the intimation of bondage. "Good sir, I am not a slave." "Ho! a hireling." "No; a free man, unattached and serving for love." Peter scratched his head. "For love only? Then why not come and be my steward for wages?" "Thou canst not pay my price," he said with meaning. The old man lifted his withered chin. "Thy price!" he repeated haughtily. "And pray, sirrah, what is thy price?" A figurative answer to add to his first sententious remark was on Marsyas' lips, but he halted suddenly, and a little pallor came into his face. "On another day, I shall tell thee," he said after a silence, and the old man impatiently dismissed him. Marsyas turned away from the heart of the city and went straight to the house in the suburbs. He found Agrippa stretched on a couch where the air entered through the west lattice, and the place otherwise solitary. The princess and the children with the servants had gone into the city. Marsyas came uncalled to Agrippa's side, and the prince noted the change on the young man's face. He looked expectant. "My lord," Marsyas said, "thou didst say to me several days ago that thou didst hate a vower of vows. Yet no man is chafed by a vow except him who finds it hard to keep. Wherefore, I pray thee, for the prospering of the cause and mine, assure me once more of thy good intent toward Judea." The Herod raised his fine brows. "How now, Marsyas? Has the knowledge that I am a Herod been slandering me to you?" "Nay, my lord; thou hast won me; and I shall not stop at sacrifice for thy cause, which is mine." "What canst thou do, my Marsyas?" "Get thee money." "I give thee my word, Marsyas. It has been sorely battered dodging debts, yet it is still intact enough to contain mine honor. I give thee my word."