The leaders hurried away on all sides, spurred by avarice and ambition.
Johannes was just turning the ruined arch of an aqueduct, which Belisarius had destroyed in order to deprive the besieged of water, when he heard a low voice calling his name.
It was already so dark that he with difficulty recognised the man who had spoken.
"What do you want, Jew!" asked Johannes. "I have no time to lose. There is hard work to be done. I must be the first into the city."
"That you shall be, and without hard work, if you will follow me."
"Follow you? Do you know a way through the air over the walls?"
"No; but through the earth under the walls. And I will show it you if you give me a thousand solidi, and promise me a certain girl as booty."
Johannes stood still.
"You shall have what you like! Where is this way?"
"Here!" said Jochem, and struck the masonry with his hand.