'Wilt thou let me speak with her before she leaves?' said Chios.
'Yes, yes; thou canst speak to her.'
Chios drew Saronia aside, saying:
'Thou seest the position. They will take thee whither thou shouldst go, to Lucius. I will follow thee;' and he slipped into her bosom unseen a parchment sealed and addressed to Lucius. 'Now, do as I wish, my love, and Chios will soon be with thee, and Lucius thou canst trust.'
'Oh, Chios, is not this fraught with danger?'
'No; it is the only course, and it is well for thee,' and kissing her, he said, 'Just for an hour or so and we meet. This is ordered wisely.'
Then they led her off, guarded by a body of armed men, Chios saying to himself:
'Little does that villain know he sends her to her father.'
As Acratus was turning to follow his men, he looked around to see if anything might satisfy his greed, when he discovered the dead body of Endora lying beneath a coverlet, and raising it, he saw the face of the murdered.
'What is this?' said he. 'Another surprise. Killed! Who is she? What meaneth it?'