Melas paid little attention to them, but hastened on his way, and soon
they reached the eastern edge of the town and started along the paved
road which ran from the Piraeus to Athens proper. This road was nearly
five miles long and ran between two high walls of stone some distance
apart. The curious crowd left them at this point and the three walked on
alone through olive orchards and past little vineyards, toward Athens.

"Nobody could get lost on this road," said Dion to his Father, "not even
if he tried! He couldn't get over the walls."

"What are the walls for?" asked Daphne. "It seems silly to build high
walls like this right out in the country."

"Not so silly when you think about it," answered Melas. "These walls were
built by Pericles, so that if any enemy should make an invasion, Athens
would always have a safe access to the sea. Without that she could be
starved within her own walls in a very short time."

"Pericles must be almost as powerful and wise as the Gods themselves, I
should think," said Daphne.

"He does all these things by the help of the Gods, without doubt," said
Melas.

When they were halfway on their journey to the city, Dion suddenly let
down his side of the basket with a thump.

"Remember the eggs!" cried Daphne sharply, but Dion did not seem to hear.

"Look! Look!" he cried and pointed toward the east. There against the