If this be the case, we
shall both of us know the smell of a prison before long, and
perchance the taste of torture. What say you? Shall we wait for that
chance, or speed away into Campania, and march with the king against
Neapolis?'
Though he smiled, there was no mistaking Marcian's earnestness. For
the moment he had shaken off his visions of Tartarus, and was his
saner self once more.
'If I knew that she has gone!' cried Basil wretchedly. 'If I knew!'
'So you take your chance?'
'Listen! You speak of prison, of torture. Marcian, can you not help,
me to capture that woman, and to get from her the truth?'
Basil's face grew terrible as he spoke. He quivered, his teeth
ground together.
'I, too, have thought of it,' replied the other coldly. 'But it is
difficult and dangerous.'
They talked yet awhile, until Marcian, who looked cadaverous,
declared his need of food, and they went to the mid-day meal.
A few days went by. Basil was occupied with the business of his
inheritance. He had messengers to despatch to estates in Lucania and
Apulia. Then came news that a possession of Maximus' in the south
had been invaded and seized by a neighbour; for which outrage there
was little hope of legal remedy in the present state of affairs;
only by the strong hand could Basil vindicate his right.
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