it."

"Indeed," I answered. "That is strange, since I thought that I saw you
eating of it yesterday."

"Aye, General," he replied; "the truth is that I ate too much."

Making no answer, I went to the window, and threw the fig to a
long-tailed, tame monkey which was chained to a post in the yard
without. It caught it and ate greedily.

"Do not go away, friend," I said to the jailer, who was trying to depart
while my back was turned. "I have questions that I would ask you."

So I spoke to him about other matters, and all the while watched the
monkey.

Soon I saw that it was ill at ease. It began to tear at its stomach and
to whimper like a child. Then it foamed at the mouth, was seized with
convulsions, and within a quarter of an hour by the water-clock was
dead.

"It would seem that those figs are poisoned, friend," I said, "and
therefore it is fortunate for you that you ate too much fruit yesterday.
Now, man, what do you know of this matter?"

"Nothing, sir," he answered, falling on his knees. "I swear to you by
Christ, nothing. Only I doubted. The fruits were brought by a woman
whom I thought that once I had seen in the household of the Augustus
Constantine, and I knew----" and he paused.

"Well, what did you know, man? It would be best to tell me quickly, who
have power here."

"I knew, sir, what all the world knows, that Constantine would be rid of
his uncles, whom he fears, though they are maimed. No more, I swear it,
no more."

"Perhaps before the Augusta returns you may remember something more," I
said. "Therefore, I will not judge your case at present. Ho! guard, come
hither."

As he heard the soldiers stirring without in answer to my summons, the
man, who was unarmed, looked about his desperately; then he sprang at
the fruit, and, seizing a fig, strove to thrust it into his mouth. But
I was too quick for him, and within a few seconds the soldiers had him
fast.

"Shut this man in a safe dungeon," I said. "Treat and feed him well, but
search him. See also that he does himself no harm and that none speak
with him. Then forget all this business."

"What charge must be entered in the book, General?" asked the officer,
saluting.

"A charge of stealing figs that belonged to the Caesar Nicephorus and his
royal brethren," I answered, and looked through the window.

He followed my glance, saw the poor monkey lying dead, and started.

"All shall be done," he said, and the man was led away.

When he