Mother, tell Parmenio to find Alopex and bring him to me at once.

Gems and fugitives are part of my regular line of trade, with efficient help from Alopex.

I fancy it will be a safe risk for Alopex to escort you to our gem-expert.

He counted the gold pieces Alopex gave him and said, in Latin with a strong Punic accent:

Alopex could not have been far away.

Very shortly we heard the door open and shut and a youth came in, whom Doris introduced as Alopex.

Alopex acceded sulkily but obediently.

Alopex and I get a rake-off on his profits, as we do on the fare of the men we ship out of Marseilles.

"Easy as that," said Alopex, snapping his fingers.

"Change," Doris commanded, and we took off our boots and put on those Alopex had brought us.

Alopex soon appeared with a complete outfit for us and the prices which he announced appeared reasonable to me and were agreed to by Doris.

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.

"Six gold pieces," said Alopex.

"Run along, Alopex," she commanded.

"Share and share alike," said Agathemer, "and you are welcome to whatever part of his rake-off Alopex turns over to you."

"Alopex," said Doris, "find a ship to get these lads out of Marseilles at dawn, never mind where it is bound for.