Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: May 25, 2025
We ate slowly, had just finished our fruit and Agathemer was playing the flageolet to the accompaniment of enthusiastic applause from both girls when Alopex returned. He reported that no ship could possibly be gotten for us the next morning and vowed that it would likely take him all day to find one for the morning after.
Alopex and I get a rake-off on his profits, as we do on the fare of the men we ship out of Marseilles. Gems and fugitives are part of my regular line of trade, with efficient help from Alopex." Actually Agathemer was gone about two hours and came back with a portly bag of gold pieces.
"Now I have an emerald of fair size and of the best water and flawless at that, sewn into the hem of my tunic. Since you are so capable at finding safe shops and baths and ships, perhaps Alopex could guide me to a gem- expert who would like to buy a fine emerald and who would pay a fair price for it and keep his mouth shut."
"We want a ship for Antioch," Agathemer put in. "Alopex," said Doris, "find a ship to get these lads out of Marseilles at dawn, never mind where it is bound for. Now go. And come back and report, tonight, sure, and as soon as you can." When he was gone she rounded on Agathemer: "Asper," said she, "I am ashamed of you. You are a fool.
He handed Agathemer a gold piece and three silver pieces. "Change," Doris commanded, and we took off our boots and put on those Alopex had brought us. Doris had Parmenio bundle up our couriers' attire, boots and hats and said: "I hate to see anything wasted. These outfits are going to be found at Couriers' Headquarters and no one will ever suspect how they got there.
"If you spend six gold pieces on that outfit," said Doris, "you are an ass; you shall have six gold pieces, but bring back a reasonable sum in change, after paying the porter." I gave Alopex six gold pieces and he went out. "When he comes back," Agathemer asked, "can he pilot us to a bath, where we shall be as safe as Felix was in Rome in the bath which Maternus knew of?"
"Alopex," Doris commanded, "look these gentlemen, over and take their measure, then go out and buy hats, cloaks, boots and wallets for them, suitable for a sea-voyage, as inconspicuous as possible, durable and water-proof. Get a porter and bring them back with you, in a bag, so no one on the streets will know what the porter is carrying. Be quick." "Six gold pieces," said Alopex.
You can arrange that, Alopex, can't you?" "Easy as that," said Alopex, snapping his fingers. "Then you do it," she ordered, "and now take these gentlemen to Sosia's bathhouse and give him the tip that they are all right." Alopex acceded sulkily but obediently. That bath refreshed me amazingly and Agathemer seemed to enjoy it as much as I did.
And she gave Agathemer her flageolet, holding it out to him with her left hand, her right arm round my neck. "Come, come!" Doris bustled, "act sensible, child!" We tore ourselves away and followed our unsavory guide through the dim, foggy streets. I distrusted Alopex and should not have been astonished had he turned us over to a batch of guards, waiting for us at any corner.
"I had not meant you so much as to poke your nose out of doors till tomorrow before sunrise," said Doris, meditatively, "but Pescennius won't be suspicious yet unless a post with news of the robbery you profited by has already reached here. I fancy it will be a safe risk for Alopex to escort you to our gem-expert. He'll pay you an honest three-quarters of the full value of your emerald.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking