"I am Lycias, a friend of Christians, and I, too would learn of the faith."
One great danger lay before them. It was the guard at the outer doorway, which opened on the street. He opposed their exit.
"No one passes here," he said.
"No one except me and my friends," responded the gladiator, boldly.
"Dare you say to Lycias that he may not pass?"
The soldier's face relaxed, but still he stood in the path.
"To-day, I have specially strict orders lest some of the Christians escape. For my part, I would willingly let some of those poor creatures flee, but I value my head."
"Perhaps thou wilt not gainsay me when thou seest my pass."
Lycias held up the bronze lizard. Really, the big gladiator himself doubted the power of this symbol. He began to fear that they would all be forced back into the arena, which was sure death, not only for those whom he wished to save, but for himself, also. He would receive no mercy, even though he had been the idol of the people but an hour before and the air had rung with his praises. It would count him little, if he were caught helping the victims to escape.
The soldier looked at him with staring eyes.
"The symbol of the chief-priest," he whispered. "In the name of
Jupiter, go by in peace, and may his wrath not fall upon me and mine."