Thuphrastos shrugged his shoulders.
“Is there any way of knowing who has denounced an hetaeria?” he muttered.
“It was probably Megas,” whispered Lysiteles in his faint, cracked voice.
“No,” replied Sthenelus positively, “had it been he, by Zeus, he would have been with them. Megas would have wanted to enjoy the sight of our faces when we were surprised. No, it was not he. I think it was Cephidosemos, who watched Xenocles and myself from behind the column. As an informer he is afraid of drawing hatred on his head, so he keeps away.”
Thuphrastos passed his hand thoughtfully over his beard.
“What offices can Phanos bestow upon us?” he asked.
“I have heard,” answered Lamon, “that a tax-collector is to be sent to some of the rebellious cities. He will have hundreds of soldiers with him. It would not surprise me, Thuphrastos, if you should be appointed to that office.”
“Well!” exclaimed the old captain, “I shall rely on Phanos’ words. He never forgets.”
“We will all trust him!” echoed the group in chorus.
“But,” continued Thuphrastos, turning to Xenocles, “however we may fare, there is one person who will lose....”