supper was over Phormio orders me, 'Up
the ladder and to bed. I'll come shortly, but leave a blanket and pillow
for our friend who sleeps on the hearth.' Your Excellency knows we hired a
little house on the 'Carpenter's Street,' very reasonably you will
grant--only half a minae for the winter. I gave the stranger a fine pillow
and a blanket embroidered by Stephanium, she was my great-aunt, and left
it to me by will, and the beautiful red wool was from Byzantium--"

"But you spoke of Critias?" Democrates could scarce keep upon his seat.

"Yes, _kyrie_. Well, I warned Phormio not to give him any more wine. Then
I went up the ladder. O Mother Demeter, how sharply I listened, but the
rascals spoke too low together for me to catch anything, save that Critias
had dropped his Doric and spoke good Attic now. At last Phormio came up to
me, and I pretended to snore. In the morning, lo! the scoundrelly stranger
had slipped away. In the evening he returns late. Phormio harbours him
again. So for several nights, coming late, going early. Then to-night he
comes a bit before his wont. He and Phormio drank more than common. After
Phormio sent me away, they talked a long time and in louder voice."

"You overheard?" Democrates gripped his arm-chair.

"Yes, _kyrie_, blessed be Athena! The stranger spoke pure Attic such as
your Excellency might use. Many times I heard Hermione named, and yourself
once--"

"And how?"

"The stranger said: 'So she will not wed Democrates. She loathes him.
Aphrodite shed joy on her forever.' Then Phormio answered him, 'Therefore,
dear Glaucon, you should trust the gods a little longer.' "

" 'Glaucon,' said he?" Democrates leaped from the chair.

" 'Glaucon,' on my oath by the Styx. Then I covered my head and wept. I
knew my husband harboured the arch-traitor. Heaven can tell how he escaped
the sea. As soon as Phormio was sleeping snug beside me, I went down the
ladder, intending to call the watch. In the street I met a man, this good
Phoenician here,--he explained he was suspecting this 'Critias' himself, and
lurked about in hopes of tracing him in the morning. I told my story. He
said it was best to come straight to you. And now I have accused my own
husband, Excellency. _Ai!_ was wife ever harder beset? Phormio is a kindly
and commonly obedient man, even if he doesn't know the value of an obol.
You will be merciful--"

"Peace," commanded Democrates, with portentous gravity, "justice first,
mercy la