themselves one on each side of Malchus, led him back to his cell.



CHAPTER XVII: THE ESCAPE


For the next two days Malchus was visited only by the Nubian who
brought his food. The third night, as he was lying on his straw,
wondering how long Hanno would be before he decided his fate, he
started to his feet as he heard, apparently close at hand, his
name whispered. It was repeated, and he now perceived that it came
from above.

"Yes," he said in a low tone, looking upwards, "I am Malchus. Who
speaks to me?"

"It is I, Nessus," the voice replied. "Thanks to the gods, I have
found my lord."

"How did you get here, Nessus? I feared that you were drowned."

"I swam to shore," the Arab said, "and then watched outside the
gate here. I saw several prisoners brought in, and doubted not that
you were among them. I was at the port when the ship came in, and
found that she brought no passenger. Then I came up here again,
soon found friends among the Arab regiment in the garrison; these
obtained me employment in the stables of the elephants. Each night,
when all has been still, I have crept here, and have whispered
your name down each of the gratings. Tonight you have heard me.