but for now you are far enough off meeting further harm."

"You are lying to me. You will throw me to the beasts as soon
as I loose my grip. I know your kind: you will not be robbed of
your sport."

"I will go so far as to prove myself to you," said I, and
called out for the warder who had tended the doors below. "Bid
those tigers be tethered on a shorter chain," I ordered, "and then
go yourself outside into the circus, and help this lady delicately
to the ground."

The word was passed and these things were done; and I too came
out into the circus and joined the woman, who stood waiting under
the moonlight. But the others who had seen these doings were by no
means suited at the change of plan. One of the great stone valves
of the farther door opened hurriedly, and a man strode out, armed
and flushed. "By all the Gods!" he shouted. "Who comes between me
and my pastime?"

I stepped quietly to the advance. "I fear, sir," I said,
"that you must launch your anger against me. By accident I gave
that woman sanctuary, and I had not heart to toss her back to your
beasts."

His fingers began to snap against his hilt.

"You have come to the wrong market here with your qualms. I
am captain here, and my word carries, subject only to Phorenice's
nod. Do you hear that? Do you know too that I can have you tossed