“But still it is very pretty, my lord,” whispered Caleb, with a smile.
But Lucius was trembling in every limb. And he said to Thrasyllus:
“This is an omen. I had never heard of this legend. This sandal, in this shrine!... I would be alone with the priest!”
The request of so distinguished a noble could not be gainsaid. The others withdrew, after fixing two torches in sconces. Lucius remained alone with the old priest, by the shrine of Rhodopis’ sandal. And then he produced Ilia’s little sandal from his breast and said:
“Wise priest and holy father, you possess wisdom, you assuredly still know the past. I have confidence in you: you shall tell me where the girl Ilia is, whom I have lost; you shall tell me who stole her from me. See, this sandal is the only trace that she left behind her. Tell me the past and I will reward you richly.”
The priest took the sandal and pressed it to his head, while his other hand trembled above the crystal shrine:
“May the spirit of Rhodopis enlighten me,” said the old priest. “I see Ilia....”
“Dead?”
“No, alive.”
“Alone?”