“Have you yet told him of the discovery?”
“Not yet.”
“Would you be willing to withhold the news from him for a while?”
“If you wish.”
“I wish you would: and perhaps we may be of service in helping you bring this crafty and powerful rogue to justice. But it will be a hard matter. My fear is that the officials of the city are themselves in league with him in some of his practices, and so will be disposed to shelter him in all.... But this speaking of Malus reminds me of a matter that I must now attend to.”
Cimon rose. It was time to proceed to the custom house. So, promising Shaphan to see him again as soon as possible: also informing him more particularly where they now lodged, in case he should have occasion to seek them (“and,” said he, “I hope that your brother will soon make occasion by bringing further particulars about Jesus”), he took leave cordially.
The lake frontage was, and had long been, all alive with business. The cry of all nations was in the air. In the lake itself vessels of all sorts were coming and going; on the wharves boxes, bales, sacks were being handled with the same dispatch and carelessness that men now show in handling the goods of other people. Also, the custom house itself (a long, low building extending almost from the Gate of the Moon to the canal which joined the lake to the northern harbors) was in full swirl and roar, and had been for hours. But the chief official, like people of his sort in more modern times, did not make as early hours as his subordinates; had loitered over the morning meal and news, though not newspaper; and so had only just made himself comfortable in his office when Cimon presented himself—the first visitor.
The Roman looked up from his tablets on which he had been writing; and, seeing before him a very well dressed and dignified person, laid down his stylus and took an attitude of attention.
Cimon stated that he had waited on the chief of the customs in behalf of an eminent trader, to make certain inquiries which could not be so satisfactorily put to lower officials. Would it suit his convenience to hear them?
“What are they?” said the chief politely.