"
"Yes," said Caleb, "they were well shaped."
Then followed a pause.
"Perhaps as I am a busy man," suggested Caleb presently, "you would not
mind coming to the point."
"Certainly, I was but waiting for your leave. As you may have heard, I
represent a very noble person----"
"Who, I think, took an interest in the captive to the extent of fifteen
hundred sestertia," suggested Caleb.
"Quite so--and whose interest unfortunately remains unabated, or rather,
I should say, that it is transferred."
"To the gentleman whose deep feeling induced him to provide five hundred
more?" queried Caleb.
"Precisely. What intuition you have! It is a gift with which the East
endows her sons."
"Suppose you put the matter plainly, worthy Saturius."
"I will, excellent Demetrius. The great person to whom I have alluded
was so moved when he heard of his loss that he actually burst into
tears, and even reproached me, whom he loves more dearly than his
brother----"
"He might easily do that, if all reports are true," said Caleb, drily,
adding, "Was it then that you met with your accident?"
"It was. Overcome at the sight of my royal master's grief, I fell down."
"Into a well, I suppose, since you managed to injure your eye, your
back, and your leg all at once.
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