“I am.”
“How canst thou enter the prison freely?”
“I hired myself to carry out corpses; I did so to assist my brethren and bring them news from the city.”
Petronius looked more attentively at the comely face of the youth, his blue eyes, and dark, abundant hair.
“From what country art thou, youth?” asked he.
“I am a Galilean, lord.”
“Wouldst thou like to see Lygia free?”
The youth raised his eyes. “Yes, even had I to die afterwards.”
Then Vinicius ceased to pray, and said,—
“Tell the guards to place her in a coffin as if she were dead. Thou wilt find assistants to bear her out in the night with thee. Near the ‘Putrid Pits’ will be people with a litter waiting for you; to them ye will give the coffin. Promise the guards from me as much gold as each can carry in his mantle.”