Giscon led his companion along the narrow lanes until he reached the back entrance of the house where the meetings were held.

Knocking in a particular way it was opened at once and closed behind them.

As they entered a slave took Malchus' horse without a word and fastened it to a ring in the wall, where four or five other horses were standing.
"I rather wonder you are not afraid of drawing attention by riding on horseback to a house in such a quarter," Malchus said.
"We dare not meet secretly, you know.

The city is full of spies, and doubtless the movements of all known to be hostile to Hanno and his party are watched, therefore we thought it best to meet here.

We have caused it to be whispered as a secret in the neighbourhood, that the house has been taken as a place where we can gamble free from the presence of our elders.