But, as I busied myself in this search for raiment, rummaging
amongst the heaps and bales, with a hand and eye little skilled in
such business, I heard a sound behind which caused me to turn my
head, and there was the woman with a dagger she had picked from the
floor, in the act of drawing it from the sheath.

She caught my eye and drew the weapon clear, but seeing that
I made no advance towards her, or move to protect myself, waited
where she was, and presently was took with a shuddering.

"Your designs seem somewhat of a riddle," I said. "At first
you wished to kill me from motives which you explained, and which
I quite understood. It lay in my power next to confer some small
benefit upon you, in consequence of which you are here, and
not--shall we say?--yonder in the circus. Why you should desire
now to kill the only man here who can set you completely free, and
beyond these walls, is a thing it would gratify me much to learn.
I say nothing of the trifle of ingratitude. Gratitude and
ingratitude are of little weight here. There is some far greater
in your mind."

She pressed a hand hard against her breasts. "You are
Deucalion," she gasped; "I heard you say it."

"I am Deucalion. So far, I have known no reason to feel shame
for my name."

"And I come of those," she cried, with a rising voice, "who
bite against this city, because they have found their fate too