“What misfortune!” muttered the Demarch, letting his chin sink on his breast. “Pirates without—fire within. We are lost!”

“On the contrary, we are saved,” cried Maurice, with a sudden inspiration. “Don’t give way, uncle. Caliphronas has arrived at a most opportune moment, for we will use their boats in order to escape.”

“Impossible!”

“Not at all. I will explain my scheme when we get down to the verge of the cliff. Come, Temistocles, Dick, Argyropoulos. Forward all. We will hoist those scoundrels on their own petard.”

“If I can,” cried Justinian in a rage, raising his hands to heaven, “I will make a holocaust of them to the infernal gods!”

CHAPTER XXXIX.
JUSTINIAN’S REVENGE.

The past is shattered,

The future lost.

Now tempest-battered,

My soul is tossed