He leaped to his feet, but before he could cry out Malchus stepped forward and said: "Silence, if you value your life.

You know me; I am Malchus the son of Hamilcar.

Now, tell me the truth, or tomorrow the torture shall wring it from you.

Who placed you here, and why ?" "Carpadon, one of the chief attendants, ordered me to remain here to admit him on his return.

I knew not there was harm in it," the slave said.
"Is it the first time you have kept watch for such a purpose ?" "No, my lord, some six or seven times he has gone out late." "Do you know the cause of his absence ?" "No, my lord, it would not become a slave to question one of the chief attendants of my lord Hannibal as to why he goes or comes." The man's manner was so natural, and his surprise at the interest which one of the rank of Malchus showed in the doings of an attendant so genuine, that Malchus was convinced he knew nothing of any enterprise in which the man who had placed him there might be engaged.
"Very well," he said, "I will believe what you tell me.