"There," he said, "is Bodmilcar's deposition, written, signed, and sealed by himself. That convicts you plainly enough, I should think."
"Just the contrary," I replied calmly; "Bodmilcar is caught in his own trap. Here is our charter-party." And taking the deed from the hands of Hanno, I showed it to the suffect.
"Yes," I continued, "that is the indenture which sets forth the contract, and you need only glance at it to see that Bodmilcar covenanted to sail under my command. Why, the very seal with which he ratified his deposition was bought with the few coins I gave him to rescue him from starvation at Tyre! Let me ask you now, who is the traitor?"
Adonibal perused the document carefully, and seemed much distressed. In a few moments he rose and said:
"Mago, my friend, I have manifestly misjudged you. Nothing could be more completely demonstrated than Bodmilcar's faithlessness. Forgive me my too hasty conclusion. I ought to have known that neither you nor your brave companions could ever have been guilty of such treachery."
He went on to say that he should be interested in hearing our whole story, and that he should be only too ready to do us justice. As I detailed the particulars of Bodmilcar's conduct, he could hardly restrain his indignation.
"By Baal-Peor of Berytos!" he said, "if ever Bodmilcar and his crew come within reach of my clutches, they shall all be crucified within an hour."
He then addressed himself to Hanno:
"You, sir scribe, seem to have a spirit of your own, notwithstanding your tender years."
"My lord," replied Hanno, "I should not have been so presumptuous if Mago had not already told me how renowned you were for discrimination and for justice. I felt that there could be nothing to fear from one who knows so well how to unmask the truth."