’Ay！soyouwouldhavepreciseanswerstothosequestions？——therearevariouswaysofsatisfyingyou。ThereistheLithomanteia，orSpeaking—stone，whichanswersyourprayerwithaninfant’svoice；but，then，wehavenotthatpreciousstonewithus——costlyisitandrare。ThenthereistheGastromanteia，wherebythedemoncastspaleanddeadlyimagesuponthewater，propheticofthefuture。Butthisartrequiresalsoglassesofapeculiarfashion，tocontaintheconsecratedliquid，whichwehavenot。I
think，therefore，thatthesimplestmethodofsatisfyingyourdesirewouldbebytheMagicofAir。’
’Itrust，’saidSosia，tremulously，’thatthereisnothingveryfrightfulintheoperation？Ihavenoloveforapparitions。’
’Fearnot；thouwiltseenothing；thouwiltonlyhearbythebubblingofwaterwhetherornotthysuitprospers。First，then，besure，fromtherisingoftheeveningstar，thatthouleavestthegarden—gatesomewhatopen，sothatthedemonmayfeelhimselfinvitedtoentertherein；andplacefruitsandwaternearthegateasasignofhospitality；then，threehoursaftertwilight，comeherewithabowlofthecoldestandpurestwater，andthoushaltlearnall，accordingtotheThessalianloremymothertaughtme。
Butforgetnotthegarden—gate——allrestsuponthat：itmustbeopenwhenyoucome，andforthreehourspreviously。’
’Trustme，’repliedtheunsuspectingSosia；’Iknowwhatagentleman’sfeelingsarewhenadoorisshutinhisface，asthecookshop’shathbeeninminemanyaday；andIknow，also，thatapersonofrespectability，asademonofcourseis，cannotbutbepleased，ontheotherhand，withanylittlemarkofcourteoushospitality。Meanwhile，prettyone，hereisthymorning’smeal。’
’Butwhatofthetrial？’
’Oh，thelawyersarestillatit——talk，talk——itwilllastoverallto—morrow。’
’To—morrow？Youaresureofthat？’
’SoIhear。’
’AndIone？’
’ByBacchus！shemustbetolerablywell，forshewasstrongenoughtomakemymasterstampandbitehislipthismorning。Isawhimquitherapartmentwithabrowlikeathunderstorm。’
’Lodgesshenearthis？’
’No——intheupperapartments。ButImustnotstaypratingherelonger。
Vale！’
ChapterXII
AWASPVENTURESINTOTHESPIDER’SWEB。
THEsecondnightofthetrialhadsetin；anditwasnearlythetimeinwhichSosiawastobravethedreadUnknown，whenthereentered，atthatverygarden—gatewhichtheslavehadleftajar——not，indeed，oneofthemysteriousspiritsofearthorair，buttheheavyandmosthumanformofCalenus，thepriestofIsis。Hescarcelynotedthehumbleofferingsofindifferentfruit，andstillmoreindifferentwine，whichthepiousSosiahaddeemedgoodenoughfortheinvisiblestrangertheywereintendedtoallure。’Sometribute，’thoughthe，’tothegardengod。Bymyfather’shead！ifhisdeityshipwereneverbetterserved，hewoulddowelltogiveupthegodlyprofession。Ah！wereitnotforuspriests，thegodswouldhaveasadtimeofit。AndnowforArbaces——Iamtreadingaquicksand，butitoughttocoveramine。IhavetheEgyptian’slifeinmypower——whatwillhevalueitat？’
Ashethussoliloquised，hecrossedthroughtheopencourtintotheperistyle，whereafewlampshereandtherebrokeupontheempireofthestarlitnight；andissuingfromoneofthechambersthatborderedthecolonnade，suddenlyencounteredArbaces。
’Ho！Calenus——seekestthoume？’saidtheEgyptian；andtherewasalittleembarrassmentinhisvoice。
’Yes，wiseArbaces——Itrustmyvisitisnotunseasonable？’
’Nay——itwasbutthisinstantthatmyfreedmanCalliassneezedthriceatmyrighthand；Iknew，therefore，somegoodfortunewasinstoreforme——and，lo！thegodshavesentmeCalenus。’
’Shallwewithintoyourchamber，Arbaces？’
’Asyouwill；butthenightisclearandbalmy——Ihavesomeremainsoflanguoryetlingeringonmefrommyrecentillness——theairrefreshesme——letuswalkinthegarden——weareequallyalonethere。’
’Withallmyheart，’answeredthepriest；andthetwofriendspassedslowlytooneofthemanyterraceswhich，borderedbymarblevasesandsleepingflowers，intersectedthegarden。
’Itisalovelynight，’saidArbaces——’blueandbeautifulasthatonwhich，twentyyearsago，theshoresofItalyfirstbrokeuponmyview。MyCalenus，agecreepsuponus——letus，atleast，feelthatwehavelived。’
’Thou，atleast，maystarrogatethatboast，’saidCalenus，beatingabout，asitwere，foranopportunitytocommunicatethesecretwhichweigheduponhim，andfeelinghisusualaweofArbacesstillmoreimpressivelythatnight，fromthequietandfriendlytoneofdignifiedcondescensionwhichtheEgyptianassumed——’Thou，atleast，maystarrogatethatboast。Thouhasthadcountlesswealth——aframeonwhoseclose—wovenfibresdiseasecanfindnospacetoenter——prosperouslove——inexhaustiblepleasure——and，evenatthishour，triumphantrevenge。’
’ThoualludesttotheAthenian。Ay，to—morrow’ssunthefiatofhisdeathwillgoforth。Thesenatedoesnotrelent。Butthoumistakest：hisdeathgivesmenoothergratificationthanthatitreleasesmefromarivalintheaffectionsofIone。Ientertainnoothersentimentofanimosityagainstthatunfortunatehomicide。’
’Homicide！’repeatedCalenus，slowlyandmeaningly；and，haltingashespoke，hefixedhiseyesuponArbaces。Thestarsshonepaleandsteadilyontheproudfaceoftheirprophet，buttheybetrayedtherenochange：theeyesofCalenusfelldisappointedandabashed。Hecontinuedrapidly——’Homicide！
itiswelltochargehimwiththatcrime；butthou，ofallmen，knowestthatheisinnocent。’
’Explainthyself，’saidArbaces，coldly；forhehadpreparedhimselfforthehinthissecretfearshadforetold。
’Arbaces，’answeredCalenus，sinkinghisvoiceintoawhisper，’Iwasinthesacredgrove，shelteredbythechapelandthesurroundingfoliage。I
overheard——Imarkedthewhole。IsawthyweaponpiercetheheartofApaecides。Iblamenotthedeed——itdestroyedafoeandanapostate。’
’Thousawestthewhole！’saidArbaces，dryly；’soIimagined——thouwertalone’Alone！’returnedCalenus，surprisedattheEgyptian’scalmness。
’Andwhereforewertthouhidbehindthechapelatthathour？’
’BecauseIhadlearnedtheconversionofApaecidestotheChristianfaith——becauseIknewthatonthatspothewastomeetthefierceOlinthus——becausetheyweretomeettheretodiscussplansforunveilingthesacredmysteriesofourgoddesstothepeople——andIwastheretodetect，inordertodefeatthem。’
’Hastthoutoldlivingearwhatthoudidstwitness？’
’No，mymaster：thesecretislockedinthyservant’sbreast。’
’What！eventhykinsmanBurboguessesitnot！Come，thetruth！’
’Bythegods……’
’Hush！weknoweachother——whatarethegodstous？’
’Bythefearofthyvengeance，then——no！’
’Andwhyhastthouhithertoconcealedfrommethissecret？WhyhastthouwaitedtilltheeveoftheAthenian’scondemnationbeforethouhastventuredtotellmethatArbacesisamurderer？Andhavingtarriedsolong，whyrevealestthounowthatknowledge？’
’Because——because……’stammeredCalenus，coloringandinconfusion。
’Because，’interruptedArbaces，withagentlesmile，andtappingthepriestontheshoulderwithakindlyandfamiliargesture——’because，myCalenus（seenow，Iwillreadthyheart，andexplainitsmotives）——becausethoudidstwishthoroughlytocommitandentanglemeinthetrial，sothatI
mighthavenoloopholeofescape；thatImightstandfirmlypledgedtoperjuryandtomalice，aswellastohomicide；thathavingmyselfwhettedtheappetiteofthepopulacetoblood，nowealth，nopower，couldpreventmybecomingtheirvictim：andthoutellestmethysecretnow，erethetrialbeoverandtheinnocentcondemned，toshowwhatadesperatewebofvillainythywordto—morrowcoulddestroy；toenhanceinthis，theninthhour，thepriceofthyforbearance；toshowthatmyownarts，inarousingthepopularwrath，would，atthywitness，recoiluponmyself；andthatifnotforGlaucus，formewouldgapethejawsofthelion！Isitnotso？’
’Arbaces，repliedCalenus，losingallthevulgaraudacityofhisnaturalcharacter，’verilythouartaMagician；thoureadesttheheartasitwereascroll。’
’Itismyvocation，’answeredtheEgyptian，laughinggently。’Well，then，forbear；andwhenallisover，Iwillmaketheerich。’
’Pardonme，’saidthepriest，asthequicksuggestionofthatavarice，whichwashismaster—passion，badehimtrustnofuturechanceofgenerosity；
’pardonme；thousaidstright——weknoweachother。Ifthouwouldsthavemesilent，thoumustpaysomethinginadvance，asanoffertoHarpocrates。’Iftherose，sweetemblemofdiscretion，istotakerootfirmly，waterherthisnightwithastreamofgold。’
’Wittyandpoetical！’answeredArbaces，stillinthatblandvoicewhichlulledandencouraged，whenitoughttohavealarmedandchecked，hisgripingcomrade。’Wiltthounotwaitthemorrow？’
’Whythisdelay？Perhaps，whenIcannolongergivemytestimonywithoutshamefornothavinggiveniteretheinnocentmansuffered，thouwiltforgetmyclaim；and，indeed，thypresenthesitationisabadomenofthyfuturegratitude。’
’Well，then，Calenus，whatwouldstthouhavemepaythee？’
’Thylifeis，veryprecious，andthywealthisverygreat，’returnedthepriest，grinning。
’Wittierandmorewitty。Butspeakout——whatshallbethesum？’
’Arbaces，Ihaveheardthatinthysecrettreasurybelow，beneaththoserudeOscanarcheswhichpropthystatelyhalls，thouhastpilesofgold，ofvases，andofjewels，whichmightrivalthereceptaclesofthewealthofthedeifiedNero。ThoumaysteasilyspareoutofthosepilesenoughtomakeCalenusamongtherichestpriestsofPompeii，andyetnotmisstheloss。’
’Come，Calenus，’saidArbaces，winningly，andwithafrankandgenerousair，’thouartanoldfriend，andhastbeenafaithfulservant。Thoucansthavenowishtotakeawaymylife，norIadesiretostintthyreward：thoushaltdescendwithmetothattreasurythoureferrestto，thoushaltfeastthineeyeswiththeblazeofuncountedgoldandthesparkleofpricelessgems；andthoushaltforthyownreward，bearawaywiththeethisnightasmuchasthoucanstconcealbeneaththyrobes。Nay，whenthouhastonceseenwhatthyfriendpossesses，thouwiltlearnhowfoolishitwouldbetoinjureonewhohassomuchtobestow。WhenGlaucusisnomore，thoushaltpaythetreasuryanothervisit。SpeakIfranklyandasafriend？’
’Oh，greatest，bestofmen！’criedCalenus，almostweepingwithjoy，’canstthouthusforgivemyinjuriousdoubtsofthyjustice，thygenerosity？’
’Hush！oneotherturnandwewilldescendtotheOscanarches。’
ChapterXIII
THESLAVECONSULTSTHEORACLE。THEYWHOBLINDTHEMSELVESTHEBLINDMAY
FOOL。TWONEWPRISONERSMADEINONENIGHT。
IMPATIENTLYNydiaawaitedthearrivalofthenolessanxiousSosia。
Fortifyinghiscouragebyplentifulpotationsofabetterliquorthanthatprovidedforthedemon，thecredulousministrantstoleintotheblindgirl’schamber。
’Well，Sosia，andartthouprepared？Hastthouthebowlofpurewater？’
’Verily，yes：butItremblealittle。YouaresureIshallnotseethedemon？Ihaveheardthatthosegentlemenarebynomeansofahandsomepersonoracivildemeanor。’
’Beassured！Andhastthouleftthegarden—gategentlyopen？’
’Yes；andplacedsomebeautifulnutsandapplesonalittletablecloseby？’
’That’swell。Andthegateisopennow，sothatthedemonmaypassthroughit？’
’Surelyitis。’
’Well，then，openthisdoor；there——leaveitjustajar。Andnow，Sosia，givemethelamp。’
’What，youwillnotextinguishit？’
’No；butImustbreathemyspelloveritsray。Thereisaspiritinfire。
Seatthyself。’
Theslaveobeyed；andNydia，afterbendingforsomemomentssilentlyoverthelamp，rose，andinalowvoicechantedthefollowingrude：
INVOCATIONTOTHESPECTREOFTHEAIR
LovedalikebyAirandWaterAyemustbeThessalia’sdaughter；
Tous，Olympianhearts，aregivenSpellsthatdrawthemoonfromheaven。
AllthatEgypt’slearningwrought——
AllthatPersia’sMagiantaught——
Wonfromsong，orwrungfromflowers，Orwhisper’dlowbyfiend——areours。
Spectreoftheviewlessair！
HeartheblindThessalian’sprayer！
ByErictho’sart，thatshedDewsoflifewhenlifewasfled——
ByloneIthaca’swiseking，WhocouldwakethecrystalspringTothevoiceofprophecy？
BythelostEurydice，Summon’dfromtheshadowythrong，Asthemuse—son’smagicsong——
BytheColchian’sawfulcharms，Whenfair—hairedJasonleftherarms—
Spectreoftheairyhalls，Onewhoownstheedulycalls！
Breathealongthebrimmingbowl，AndinstructthefearfulsoulIntheshadowythingsthatlieDarkindimfuturity。
Come，wilddemonoftheair，Answertothyvotary’sprayer！
Come！oh，come！
Andnogodonheavenorearth——
NotthePaphianQueenofMirth，NotthevividLordofLight，NorthetripleMaidofNight，NortheThunderer’sselfshallbeBlestandhonour’dmorethanthee！
Come！oh，come！
’Thespectreiscertainlycoming，’saidSosia。’Ifeelhimrunningalongmyhair！’
’Placethybowlofwaterontheground。Now，then，givemethynapkin，andletmefoldupthyfaceandeyes。’
’Ay！that’salwaysthecustomwiththesecharms。Notsotight，though：
gently——gently！’
’There——thoucanstnotsee？’
’See，byJupiter！No！nothingbutdarkness。’
’Address，then，tothespectrewhateverquestionthouwouldstaskhim，inalow—whisperedvoice，threetimes。Ifthyquestionisansweredintheaffirmative，thouwilthearthewaterfermentandbubblebeforethedemonbreathesuponit；ifinthenegative，thewaterwillbequitesilent。’
’Butyouwillnotplayanytrickwiththewater，eh？’
’Letmeplacethebowlunderthyfeet——so。NowthouwiltperceivethatI
cannottouchitwithoutthyknowledge。’
’Veryfair。Now，then，OBacchus！befriendme。ThouknowestthatIhavealwayslovedtheebetterthanalltheothergods，andIwilldedicatetotheethatsilvercupIstolelastyearfromtheburlycarptor（butler），ifthouwiltbutbefriendmewiththiswater—lovingdemon。Andthou，OSpirit！
listenandhearme。ShallIbeenabledtopurchasemyfreedomnextyear？
Thouknowest；for，asthoulivestintheair，thebirdshavedoubtlessacquaintedtheewitheverysecretofthishouse，——thouknowestthatIhavefilchedandpilferedallthatIhonestly——thatis，safely——couldlayfingeruponforthelastthreeyears，andIyetwanttwothousandsestercesofthefullsum。ShallIbeable，OgoodSpirit！tomakeupthedeficiencyinthecourseofthisyear？Speak——Ha！doesthewaterbubble？No；allisasstillasatomb。——Well，then，ifnotthisyear，intwoyears？——Ah！Ihearsomething；thedemonisscratchingatthedoor；he’llbeherepresently。——Intwoyears，mygoodfellow：comenow，two；that’saveryreasonabletime。
What！dumbstill！Twoyearsandahalf——three——four？illfortunetoyou，frienddemon！Youarenotalady，that’sclear，oryouwouldnotkeepsilencesolong。Five——six——sixtyyears？andmayPlutoseizeyou！I’llasknomore。’AndSosia，inarage，kickeddownthewateroverhislegs。Hethen，aftermuchfumblingandmorecursing，managedtoextricatehisheadfromthenapkininwhichitwascompletelyfolded——staredround——anddiscoveredthathewasinthedark。
’What，ho！Nydia；thelampisgone。Ah，traitress；andthouartgonetoo；
butI’llcatchthee——thoushaltsmartforthis！’Theslavegropedhiswaytothedoor；itwasboltedfromwithout：hewasaprisonerinsteadofNydia。
Whatcouldhedo？Hedidnotdaretoknockloud——tocallout——lestArbacesshouldoverhearhim，anddiscoverhowhehadbeenduped；andNydia，meanwhile，hadprobablyalreadygainedthegarden—gate，andwasfastonherescape。
’But，’thoughthe，’shewillgohome，or，atleast，besomewhereinthecity。To—morrow，atdawn，whentheslavesareatworkintheperistyle，I
canmakemyselfheard；thenIcangoforthandseekher。Ishallbesuretofindandbringherback，beforeArbacesknowsawordofthematter。Ah！
that’sthebestplan。Littletraitress，myfingersitchatthee：andtoleaveonlyabowlofwater，too！Haditbeenwine，itwouldhavebeensomecomfort。’
WhileSosia，thusentrapped，waslamentinghisfate，andrevolvinghisschemestorepossesshimselfofNydia，theblindgirl，withthatsingularprecisionanddexterousrapidityofmotion，which，wehavebeforeobserved，waspeculiartoher，hadpassedlightlyalongtheperistyle，threadedtheoppositepassagethatledintothegarden，and，withabeatingheart，wasabouttoproceedtowardsthegate，whenshesuddenlyheardthesoundofapproachingsteps，anddistinguishedthedreadedvoiceofArbaceshimself。
Shepausedforamomentindoubtandterror；thensuddenlyitflashedacrossherrecollectionthattherewasanotherpassagewhichwaslittleusedexceptfortheadmissionofthefairpartakersoftheEgyptian’ssecretrevels，andwhichwoundalongthebasementofthatmassivefabrictowardsadoorwhichalsocommunicatedwiththegarden。Bygoodfortuneitmightbeopen。Atthatthought，shehastilyretracedhersteps，descendedthenarrowstairsattheright，andwassoonattheentranceofthepassage。Alas！thedoorattheentrancewasclosedandsecured。Whileshewasyetassuringherselfthatitwasindeedlocked，sheheardbehindherthevoiceofCalenus，and，amomentafter，thatofArbacesinlowreply。Shecouldnotstaythere；theywereprobablypassingtothatverydoor。Shesprangonward，andfeltherselfinunknownground。Theairgrewdampandchill；thisreassuredher。
Shethoughtshemightbeamongthecellarsoftheluxuriousmansion，or，atleast，insomerudespotnotlikelytobevisitedbyitshaughtylord，whenagainherquickearcaughtstepsandthesoundofvoices。On，on，shehurried，extendingherarms，whichnowfrequentlyencounteredpillarsofthickandmassiveform。Withatact，doubledinacutenessbyherfear，sheescapedtheseperils，andcontinuedherway，theairgrowingmoreandmoredampassheproceeded；yet，still，assheeverandanonpausedforbreath，sheheardtheadvancingstepsandtheindistinctmurmurofvoices。Atlengthshewasabruptlystoppedbyawallthatseemedthelimitofherpath。
Wastherenospotinwhichshecouldhide？Noaperture？nocavity？Therewasnone！Shestopped，andwrungherhandsindespair；thenagain，nervedasthevoicesneareduponher，shehurriedonbythesideofthewall；andcomingsuddenlyagainstoneofthesharpbuttressesthathereandtherejuttedboldlyforth，shefelltotheground。Thoughmuchbruised，hersensesdidnotleaveher；sheutterednocry；nay，shehailedtheaccidentthathadledhertosomethinglikeascreen；andcreepingcloseuptotheangleformedbythebuttress，sothatononesideatleastshewasshelteredfromview，shegatheredherslightandsmallformintoitssmallestcompass，andbreathlesslyawaitedherfate。
MeanwhileArbacesandthepriestweretakingtheirwaytothatsecretchamberwhosestoresweresovauntedbytheEgyptian。Theywereinavastsubterraneanatrium，orhall；thelowroofwassupportedbyshort，thickpillarsofanarchitecturefarremotefromtheGreciangracesofthatluxuriantperiod。Thesingleandpalelamp，whichArbacesbore，shedbutanimperfectrayoverthebareandruggedwalls，inwhichthehugestones，withoutcement，werefittedcuriouslyanduncouthlyintoeachother。Thedisturbedreptilesglareddullyontheintruders，andthencreptintotheshadowofthewalls。
Calenusshiveredashelookedaroundandbreathedthedamp，unwholesomeair。
’Yet，’saidArbaces，withasmile，perceivinghisshudder，’itistheserudeabodesthatfurnishtheluxuriesofthehallsabove。Theyarelikethelaborersoftheworld——wedespisetheirruggedness，yettheyfeedtheverypridethatdisdainsthem。’
’AndwhithergoesyondimgallerytotheleftaskedCalenus；’inthisdepthofgloomitseemswithoutlimit，asifwindingintoHades。’
’Onthecontrary，itdoesbutconducttotheupperrooms，’answeredArbaces，carelessly：’itistotherightthatwesteertoourbourn。’
Thehall，likemanyinthemorehabitableregionsofPompeii，branchedoffattheextremityintotwowingsorpassages；thelengthofwhich，notreallygreat，wastotheeyeconsiderablyexaggeratedbythesuddengloomagainstwhichthelampsofaintlystruggled。Totherightofthesealae，thetwocomradesnowdirectedtheirsteps。
’ThegayGlaucuswillbelodgedto—morrowinapartmentsnotmuchdrier，andfarlessspaciousthanthis，’saidCalenus，astheypassedbytheveryspotwhere，completelywrappedintheshadowofthebroad，projectingbuttress，coweredtheThessalian。
’Ay，butthenhewillhavedryroom，andampleenough，inthearenaonthefollowingday。Andtothink，’continuedArbaces，slowly，andverydeliberately——’tothinkthatawordofthinecouldsavehim，andconsignArbacestohisdoom！’
’Thatwordshallneverbespoken，’saidCalenus。
’Right，myCalenus！itnevershall，’returnedArbaces，familiarlyleaninghisarmonthepriest’sshoulder：’andnow，halt——weareatthedoor。’
Thelighttrembledagainstasmalldoordeepsetinthewall，andguardedstronglybymanyplatesandbindingsofiron，thatintersectedtheroughanddarkwood。FromhisgirdleArbacesnowdrewasmallring，holdingthreeorfourshortbutstrongkeys。Oh，howbeatthegripingheartofCalenus，asheheardtherustywardsgrowl，asifresentingtheadmissiontothetreasurestheyguarded！
’Enter，myfriend，’saidArbaces，’whileIholdthelamponhigh，thatthoumaystglutthineeyesontheyellowheaps。’
TheimpatientCalenusdidnotwaittobetwiceinvited；hehastenedtowardstheaperture。
Scarcehadhecrossedthethreshold，whenthestronghandofArbacesplungedhimforwards。
’Thewordshallneverbespoken！’saidtheEgyptian，withaloudexultantlaugh，andclosedthedooruponthepriest。
Calenushadbeenprecipitateddownseveralsteps，butnotfeelingatthemomentthepainofhisfall，hesprungupagaintothedoor，andbeatingatitfiercelywithhisclenchedfist，hecriedaloudinwhatseemedmoreabeast’showlthanahumanvoice，sokeenwashisagonyanddespair：’Oh，releaseme，releaseme，andIwillasknogold！’
Thewordsbutimperfectlypenetratedthemassivedoor，andArbacesagainlaughed。Then，stampinghisfootviolently，rejoined，perhapstogiveventtohislong—stifledpassions：
’AllthegoldofDalmatia，’criedhe，’willnotbuytheeacrustofbread。
Starve，wretch！thydyinggroanswillneverwakeeventheechoofthesevasthalls；norwilltheaireverreveal，asthougnawest，inthydesperatefamine，thyfleshfromthybones，thatsoperishesthemanwhothreatened，andcouldhaveundone，Arbaces！Farewell！’
’Oh，pity——mercy！Inhumanvillain；wasitforthis……’
TherestofthesentencewaslosttotheearofArbacesashepassedbackwardalongthedimhall。Atoad，plumpandbloated，layunmovingbeforehispath；theraysofthelampfelluponitsunshapedhideousnessandredupwardeye。Arbacesturnedasidethathemightnotharmit。
’Thouartloathsomeandobscene，’hemuttered，’butthoucanstnotinjureme；thereforethouartsafeinmypath。’
ThecriesofCalenus，dulledandchokedbythebarrierthatconfinedhim，yetfaintlyreachedtheearoftheEgyptian。Hepausedandlistenedintently。
’Thisisunfortunate，’thoughthe；’forIcannotsailtillthatvoiceisdumbforever。Mystoresandtreasureslie，notinyondungeonitistrue，butintheoppositewing。Myslaves，astheymovethem，mustnothearhisvoice。Butwhatfearofthat？Inthreedays，ifhestillsurvive，hisaccents，bymyfather’sbeard，mustbeweakenough，then！——no，theycouldnotpierceeventhroughhistomb。ByIsis，itiscold！——IlongforadeepdraughtofthespicedFalernian。’
WiththattheremorselessEgyptiandrewhisgowncloserroundhim，andresoughttheupperair。
ChapterXIV
NYDIAACCOSTSCALENUS。
WHATwordsofterror，yetofhope，hadNydiaoverheard！ThenextdayGlaucuswastobecondemned；yettherelivedonewhocouldsavehim，andadjudgeArbacestohisdoom，andthatonebreathedwithinafewstepsofherhiding—place！Shecaughthiscriesandshrieks——hisimprecations——hisprayers，thoughtheyfellchokedandmuffledonherear。Hewasimprisoned，butsheknewthesecretofhiscell：couldshebutescape——couldshebutseekthepraetorhemightyetintimebegiventolight，andpreservetheAthenian。Heremotionsalmoststifledher；herbrainreeled——shefelthersensegiveway——butbyaviolenteffortshemasteredherself，——and，afterlisteningintentlyforseveralminutes，tillshewasconvincedthatArbaceshadleftthespacetosolitudeandherself，shecreptonasherearguidedhertotheverydoorthathadcloseduponCalenus。Hereshemoredistinctlycaughthisaccentsofterroranddespair。Thricesheattemptedtospeak，andthricehervoicefailedtopenetratethefoldsoftheheavydoor。Atlengthfindingthelock，sheappliedherlipstoitssmallaperture，andtheprisonerdistinctlyheardasofttonebreathehisname。