“No, no, do not touch me.” Then in a low tone she added: “Shall I go to Mekone to be purified from the blood?”
For a moment Lyrcus made no answer, then he replied:
“No. Go to your father. It was a righteous murder.”
When, a short time after, they left the cave Lyrcus lingered behind and, unnoticed by his wife, drew the murderous weapon from the wound and thrust it into his own belt.
Scarcely had Bremon followed the pair out, ere in his joy, he leaped and danced around them, barking with all his might.
Instantly the whole mountain seemed to be alive. The loose stones above the cave rattled again and, urged by some dark foreboding, Periphas’ faithful herdsman hastily descended. At the same time, from the nearest chasm on each side, emerged half a score of armed men, yawning, rubbing their eyes, and straightening their skin cloaks, as if suddenly roused from sleep.
The shepherd entered the cave, but instantly came out again, looking very pale and troubled, as pointing to the two retreating figures he shouted wrathfully:
“Seize them! They have killed him ... with his own knife.”
The sleepy Pelasgians opened their eyes and several recognized the Cychrean leader.
“It’s Lyrcus!” they shouted to the other party.