The eyes of the two met in a long, piercing gaze! Heraklas sprang to his feet.

The papyrus fell, on the loose brick beside him.
Athribis' head vanished instantly, and Heraklas, snatching the papyrus, wound it closely, and thrust it into his garments.
He hastily replaced the loose brick.

No safe place for the papyrus would the hole be, hereafter.
When he met Athribis afterwards in a corridor, Heraklas felt his heart beat more quickly against the hidden roll.

But the lad was stern in outward semblance.
"Athribis!" he said.
The slave bent before the lad.
"How wast thou where I saw thee ?" demanded Heraklas.
"I was attending to the salted quail.

Thou knowest they are drying on the roof," explained Athribis, meekly.
Heraklas felt compelled to accept the excuse.