that we did not attempt to hide you above ground, for assuredly
if we had done so they would have found you, however cunningly we
had stowed you away. Of course the name of the prisoner who has
escaped is known to none, but the report that an important prisoner
had escaped from the state prisons beneath the temple has created
quite an excitement in the city, for it is said that such an event
never took place before. At present I can hit on no plan whatever
for getting you free."

"Then I must be content to wait for a while, Nessus. After a time
their vigilance is sure to relax, as they will think that I must
have got beyond the walls."

"Are there any to whom you would wish me to bear news that you are
here?"

This was a question which Malchus had debated with himself over
and over again. It appeared to him, however, that Hanno's power
was so great that it would be dangerous for anyone to come forward
and accuse him. No doubt every one of the leading men of the
Barcine party was strictly watched; and did Hanno suspect that any
of them were in communication with the escaped prisoner, he would
take instant steps against them. He thought it better, therefore,
that none should be acquainted with the secret until he was free.
He therefore replied in the negative to the question of Nessus.

"I must wait till I am free. Any action now might bring down the
vengeance of Hanno upon others. He would find no difficulty in
inventing some excuse for dealing a blow at them. You think here
is no possibility of escape at present?"