“Does Justinian know I am alive?”
“Yes. I sent Temistocles off to tell him as soon as you were in safety; I expect he’ll be here every minute.”
“What about the earthquake?”
“Oh, we felt it, I can tell you. It was a tremendous shock, and has filled up the tunnel completely.”
“At which, I suppose, my uncle is heart-broken?”
“No fear. He never thought about the tunnel while you were in danger. But how did you manage to escape?”
“That is a long story,” said Maurice faintly, for he felt sick with fatigue. “Give me some more brandy.”
“Here you are. Don’t talk any more till Justinian comes.”
“But tell me, where is Gurt?”
“Oh, he and the rest have gone off to the Acropolis to be looked after. Now, do be quiet, Maurice, or you’ll be fainting again.”