AVE POST SECULA It comes back to me that on the following day my successor in the governorship of the jail, who he was I know not now, arrived, and that to him in due form I handed over my offices and duties.

Before I did so, however, I made it my care to release Barnabas, I think on the previous evening.

In his cell I read the Augusta's warrant to the old bishop.
"How was it obtained, son," he asked, "for, know, that having so many enemies on this small matter of image worship, I expected to die in this place?
Now it seems that I am free, and may even return to my charge in Egypt." "The Empress granted it to me as a favour, Father," I answered.

"I told her that you were from the North, like myself." He studied me with his shrewd blue eyes, and said: "It seems strange to me that so great and unusual a boon should be granted for such a reason, seeing that better men than I am have suffered banishment and worse woes for less cause than I have given.
What did you pay the Empress for this favour, son Olaf ?" "Nothing, Father." "Is it so?
Olaf, a dream has come to me about you, and in that dream I saw you walk through a great fire and emerge unscathed, save for the singeing of your lips and hair." "Perhaps they were singed, Father.

Otherwise, I am unburned, though what will happen to me in the future I do not know, for my dangers seem great." "In my dream you triumphed over all of them, Olaf, and also met with some reward even in this life, though now I know not what it was.