"As sure as that I have zealously endeavored to let the Alexandrians feel
your avenging hand," replied the Egyptian resolutely, and with a bold
face he confirmed his he. "I have here the jewel she wore on her arm.
It was found on the charred body in the cellar. Adventus, your
chamberlain, says that Melissa received it yesterday as a gift from you.
Here it is."

And he handed Caracalla the serpent-shaped bracelet which Caesar had sent
to his sweetheart before setting out for the Circus. The fire had
damaged it, but there was no mistaking it. It had been found beneath the
ruins on a human arm, and Zminis had only learned from the chamberlain,
to whom he had shown it, that it had belonged to the daughter of Heron.

"Even the features of the corpse," Zminis added, "were still
recognizable."

"The corpse!" Caesar echoed gloomily. "And it was the Alexandrians, you
say, who destroyed the house?"

"Yes, my lord; a raging mob, and mingled with them men of every race-
Jews, Greeks, Syrians, what not. Most of them had lost a father, a son,
or a brother, sent to Hades by your vengeance. Their wildest curses were
for Alexander, the painter, who in fact had played the spy for you. But
the Macedonian phalanx arrived at the right moment. They killed most of
them and took some prisoners. You can see them yourself in the morning.
As regards the wife of Seleukus--"

"Well," exclaimed Caesar, and his eye brightened again.