“Well?” said Timon, smiling.

“Well!” said Nikander, still half amazed. “You have let me in for a fine adventure.”

“Aren’t you glad?”

“Yes, I am glad,” responded Nikander, but Timon saw his eyes flush with tears.

“You are very fond of her?”

“Yes, oh, yes. She is closer to me than any other now that I have grown to know her. But,” suddenly lifting his head, “how in Zeus’s name did you guess her, Timon? You never meet her as I do.”

“I did not have to guess. I saw.”

“Saw? What do you mean?”

“Her oracles on the tripod. She did make them, Nikander. I know that. You know it! By Zeus, it was a close shave in the Council.”

The sudden statement was like a thunder-clap. Nikander shook with fear. He seized Timon’s arm.