"
"Friend Cyril," said Marcus, "the maid is in great danger. I have just
learned that Domitian's spies hunt through Rome to find her, who, when
she is found, will be spirited to his palace and a fate that you can
guess. She must escape from Rome. Let her fly to Tyre, where she has
friends and property. There, if she lies hid a while, she will be
molested by none."
The bishop shook his head.
"I have thought of it," he said, "but it is scarcely possible. The
officers at every port have orders to search all ships that sail with
passengers, and detain any woman on them who answers to the description
of her who was called Pearl-Maiden. This I know for certain, for I also
have my officers, more faithful perhaps than those of Caesar," and he
smiled.
"Is there then no means to get her out of Rome and across the sea?"
"I can think of only one, which would cost more money than we poor
Christians can command. It is that a ship be bought in the name of some
merchant and manned with sailors who can be trusted, such as I know how
to find. Then she could be taken aboard at night, for on such a vessel
there would be no right of search nor any to betray."
"Find the ship and trusty men and I will find the money," said Marcus,
"for I still have gold at hand and the means of raising more.
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