above the authority of the republic. As you have confessed that
you were a member of this conspiracy, no further trial is needed,
and this court awards to you the same punishment which was meted
to all the others concerned in the conspiracy -- you will tomorrow
be put to death by the usual punishment of the press."

Malchus abstained from all reply, for it struck him at once that
were he to defy and anger his judges they might order him to be
instantly executed. He therefore without a word turned and accompanied
his jailer to his cell. He waited impatiently for night, and the
hours seemed long indeed before he heard the whisper of Nessus
above. Directly the Arab received the reply, assuring him that
Malchus was still there, he again set to work.

In an hour the grating was removed and the rope lowered. Malchus
fastened it under his arms, knotting it in front, and then whispered
to Nessus that he was ready. The Arab drew him slowly and steadily
up until his head was in the entrance of the narrow passage. Malchus
had grasped the rope as high as possible above his head and hung
by his hands, thereby drawing the shoulders upwards, and reducing
their width as much as possible. He then managed to swing himself
so that his body was diagonally across the opening, and when thus
placed he found to his joy that the passage was large enough for
him to pass through without much difficulty.

Slowly and steadily Nessus drew him up until his shoulders were
above the level of the ground, when Malchus, placing his hands
on the pavement, sprang noiselessly out. The grating was replaced,
and without a word being spoken they glided from the temple. Not
a word was said until they had gone some little distance.