"It is too late. Measures have already been taken. Besides, Chairo's messenger"—and as she looked at me squarely in the face her brow darkened—"is not accredited."
I explained the situation as Chairo had stated it and urged Balbus to go himself to the House of Detention. But Neaera said quickly:
"If Balbus were to leave this office unescorted he would be arrested. He is already compromised. Moreover, we cannot take our orders from a prisoner."
"The House of Detention is strongly guarded," said I.
"And we are strongly armed," answered Neaera.
I felt that it was useless further to insist and proposed to retire, but Neaera whispered a word in Balbus's ear, and he said to me, "I think I shall ask you to stay with us a little while."
"I shall not stay with you except compelled to do so by actual violence," I answered, with no slight indignation.
"Then we shall have to use violence," answered Balbus.
In a moment I was seized, bound, gagged, and hurried into an adjoining room where I was tied to a chair and a band was fastened about my eyes. In this uncomfortable position I remained for some hours.