Three hours later Saturius presented himself for the second time in theoffice of the Alexandrian merchant.
"Most worthy Demetrius," he said, "I congratulate you. Everything hasbeen arranged as you wish. Here is the order, signed by Titus and dulywitnessed, granting to you--I mean to your friend, Caleb--pardon forwhatever he may have done in Judaea, and permission to live and tradeanywhere that he may wish within the bounds of the Empire. I may tellyou that it was obtained with great difficulty, since Titus, worn outwith toil and glory, leaves this very day for his villa by the sea,where he is ordered by his physicians to rest three months, taking nopart whatever in affairs. Does the document satisfy you?"
Caleb examined the signatures and seals.
"It seems to be in order," he said.
"It is in order, excellent Demetrius. Caleb can now appear in theForum, if it pleases him, and lecture upon the fall of Jerusalem for thebenefit of the vulgar. Well, here also is a letter from the divine--orrather the half divine--Domitian to yourself, Demetrius of Alexandria,also witnessed by myself and sealed. It promises to you that if you giveevidence enabling him to arrest that miscreant who dared to bid againsthim--no, do not be alarmed, the lady was not knocked down to you--youshall be allowed to take possession of her or to buy her at a reasonablevaluation, not to exceed fifteen sestertia. That is as much as she willfetch now in the open market. Are you satisfied with this document?"
Caleb read and scrutinised the letter.
"The signatures of Domitian and of yourself as witness seem much alike,"he remarked suspiciously.
"Somewhat," replied Saturius, with an airy gesture. "In royal housesit is customary for chamberlains to imitate the handwriting of theirimperial masters."
"And their morals--no, they have none--their manners also," commentedCaleb.
"At the least," went on Saturius, "you will acknowledge the seals----"
"Which might be borrowed. Well, I will take the risk, for if there isanything wrong about these papers I am sure that the prince Domitianwould not like to see them exhibited in a court of law."
"Good," answered Saturius, with a relief which he could not altogetherconceal. "And now for the culprit's name."
"The culprit's name," said Caleb, leaning forward and speaking slowly,"is Marcus, who served as one of Titus Caesar's prefects of horse inthe campaign of Judaea. He bought the lady Miriam, commonly known asPearl-Maiden, by the agency of Nehushta, an old Libyan woman, whoconveyed her to his house in the Via Agrippa, which is known as the'Fortunate House,' where doubtless, she now is."
"Marcus," said Saturius. "Why, he was reported dead, and the matter ofthe succession to his great estates is now being debated, for he was theheir of his uncle, Caius, the pro-consul, who amassed a vast fortunein Spain. Also after the death of the said Caius, this Marcus was afavourite of the late divine Nero, who constituted him guardian of somebust of which he was enamoured. In short, he is a great man, if, asyou say, he still lives, whom even Domitian will find it hard to meddlewith. But how do you know all this?"
"Through my friend Caleb. Caleb followed the black hag, Nehushta, andthe beautiful Pearl-Maiden to the very house of Marcus, which he sawthem enter. Marcus who was her lover, yonder in Judaea----"
"Oh! never mind the rest of the story, I understand it all. But you havenot yet shown that Marcus was in the house, and if he was, bad taste asit may have been to bid against the prince Domitian, well, at a publicauction it is lawful."
"Ye--es, but if Marcus has committed a crime, could he not be punishedfor that crime?"
"Without doubt. But what crime has Marcus committed?"
"The crime of being taken prisoner by the Jews and escaping from themwith his life, for which, by an edict of Titus, whose laws are thoseof the Medes and Persians, the punishment is death, or at the least,banishment and degradation."
"Well, and who can prove all this?"
"Caleb can, because he took him prisoner."
"And where," asked Saturius in exasperation, "where is this thriceaccursed cur, Caleb?"
"Here," answered Demetrius. "I am Caleb, O thrice blessed chamberlain,Saturius."
"Indeed," said Saturius. "Well, that makes things more simple. Andnow, friend Demetrius--you prefer that name, do you not--what do youpropose?"
"I propose that the necessary documents should be procured, which, toyour master, will not be difficult; that Marcus should be arrested inhis house, put upon his trial and condemned under the edict of Titus,and that the girl, Pearl-Maiden, should be handed over to me, who willat once remove her from Rome."
"Good," said Saturius. "Titus having gone, leaving Domitian in charge ofmilitary affairs, the thing, as it chances, is easy, though any sentencethat may be passed must be confirmed by Caesar himself. And now, againfarewell. If our man is in Rome, he shall be taken to-night, andto-morrow your evidence may be wanted."
"Will the girl be handed over to me then?"
"I think so," replied Saturius, "but of course I cannot say for certain,as there may be legal difficulties in the way which would hinder herimmediate re-sale. However, you may rely upon me to do the best I canfor you."
"It will be to your advantage," answered Caleb significantly. "Shall wesay--fifty sestertia on receipt of the slave?"
"Oh! if you wish it, if you wish it, for gifts cement the hearts offriends. On account? Well, to a man with many expenses, five sestertiaalways come in useful. You know what it is in these palaces, so littlepay and so much to keep up. Thank you, dear Demetrius, I will give youand the lady a supper out of the money--when you get her," he added tohimself as he left the office.
Pearl-Maiden: A Tale of the Fall of Jerusalem Page 41
