TARZAN AND THE LOST EMPIRE
Lepus to wait until after midnight before making any move to leave their hiding-place.
“The streets will be deserted then,” said Mallius Lepus, “except for an occasional patrol upon the principal avenue, and these may be easily eluded, since the torches that they carry proclaim their approach long before there is any danger of their apprehending us. I have the key to the gate of my uncle’s garden, which insures that we may enter the grounds silently and unobserved.”
“Perhaps you are right,” said von Harben, “but I dread the long wait and the thought of further inaction seems unbearable.”
“Have patience, my friend,” said Mallius Lepus. “Fulvus Fupus will be too busy with his new Caesarship to give heed to aught else for some time, and Favonia will be safe from him, certainly for the next few hours at least.”
And as they discussed the matter, a youth knocked upon the door of the home of Septimus Favonius. Beneath the shadow of the trees along the wall darker shadows crouched. A slave bearing a lamp came to the door in answer to the knocking and, speaking through a small grille, asked who was without and what the nature of his business.
“I am the son of Tabernarius,” said the youth. “I have brought fabrics from the shop of my father that the daughter of Septimus Favonius may inspect them.”
The slave hesitated.
“You must remember me,” said the youth. “I have been here often,” and the slave held the light a little bit higher and peered through the grille.
“Yes,” he said, “your face is familiar. I will go and ask my mistress if she wishes to see you. Wait here.”
“These fabrics are valuable,” said the youth, holding up a bundle, which he carried under his arm. “Let me stand just within the vestibule lest thieves set upon me and rob me.”
“Very well,” said the slave, and opening the gate he permitted the youth to enter. “Remain here until I return.”
As the slave disappeared into the interior of the house, the son of Tabernarius turned quickly and withdrew the bolt
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