CHAPTER XII
NEAERA'S IDEA OF DIPLOMACY
At first I was aware from a hum of voices that others remained in theroom with me; but after some time the hum ceased; next I heard the noiseof artillery not far off. It did not last long, but I recognized thetearing screech of machine guns. When it was over, believing myself tobe alone, I sought to extricate myself from my bonds. The cords,however, were so tightly fastened about my wrists that the skin wastorn, and every effort I made to loosen them occasioned acute pain. Imust have uttered a low cry, for I heard a voice I knew well saymockingly:
"Does it hurt?" And the gag was removed from my mouth.
"I thought I was alone," answered I.
"We _are_ alone--quite alone," said Neaera. "Why don't you stick yourstaff in the ground and put the cock under the pot?"
She was so close to me that I could feel her breath on my cheek.
"Release my hands and I will," answered I.
"Thank you, indeed! Do you think I have had you bound for that!"
"I do not flatter myself; but as you are disposed to chat, tell me whatis happening."
She took the band off my eyes and looked bewitching as she mocked me:
"Nothing is happening; and if there were something happening how shouldI know it?"
"Who tampered with Chairo's carriage?"
I asked the question suddenly in the hope that I should take her bysurprise.
"What carriage?" asked she with an air of innocence, but the colormounting to her cheek betrayed her.
"Chairo says some one treacherously tampered with his carriage."
"Nonsense," answered Neaera. "The accident to Chairo's carriage is notthe first carriage accident in the world. Chairo is thinking only ofhimself."
"How so?"
"He wants Lydia; we want liberty."
My suspicions were confirmed.
"I suppose Chairo has made love to you--as have all the rest."
The dimple deepened in Neaera's cheek, but she busied herselfunfastening the cords that bound my wrist.
"I am going to give you liberty at any rate," she said. "For I want youto do something for me."
"Stick my staff in the ground and put----"
"No; I have forgiven you; it is something very different from that."
My hands were free now, and I stretched them out in exquisite relief.
"Are you a little grateful?"
"Of course, I am grateful--but I am still more curious to know what youwant me to do for you."
"It is very simple." She showed me a sheet of paper upon which was sometypewriting. "I want you to sign this."
I put out my hand to take the paper and read the writing.
"Oh, no!" she cried, putting the paper behind her back. "I want you tosign without reading." She looked at me with a smile which she meant tobe irresistible; and, assuredly, to most men the temptation would havebeen great--for the smile said plainly that acquiescence would have itsfull reward.
I had unloosed the cords about my feet and was standing in front of herirresolute; not wishing to make an enemy of her by a downright refusal,for I did not know what confederates might be within call and yet halfinclined to snatch at the paper and read it in spite of her. But Isuspected that she meant me to do this; that she shrewdly guessed aplayful struggle between us would increase the temptation to yield toher beyond powers of resistance.
As I stood smiling at her, for the grace of her posture--leaning alittle forward and holding the paper behind her back--disarmed me, shesuddenly waved the paper before me as though inviting me to snatch atit.
I cannot imagine what would have been the result of this little comedyhad not a distant hum from the street suddenly attracted our attention.She ran to the window, threw up the sash and, taking up a field glassthat was lying on the table, looked down the street. One glance wassufficient; when she turned back into the room her face was blanched;every trace of coquetry had disappeared; she barely looked at me andhurried from the room. She locked the door upon me as she left. I wentto the window, but on my way there picked up the paper she had offeredfor my signature and which she had dropped as she picked up the fieldglass. I was too much interested in what was happening in the street toread it then. I thrust it in my wallet and saw without the help of thefield glass that the street was full of armed men hurrying to the_Liberty_ building, and upon their shoulders the badge of Demeter--agolden sheaf on a blue ground--was clearly visible. Obviously, Balbus'sattempt at rescue had failed, and instead of bringing back Chairo intriumph to the _Liberty_ office, it was the special constables who werecrowding to its doors. Soon I heard a rush of steps up the stairs; therewas a fumbling at the door; the door was forced and there rushed in anumber of men, one of whom recognized me. I explained the message fromChairo which I had brought to the office of _Liberty_ and, withoutmentioning names, added that I had been bound and imprisoned there. Thecords in the room and the abrasions on my wrists confirmed my story. Ipromised to hold myself at the disposal of the investigating magistrateand was given my liberty.
The offices in which I had been confined were searched and every paperin them carefully collected. I betook myself at once to the chambers Ishared with Ariston, but on the way I took the paper I had been asked tosign out of my pocket and read it.
"DEAR CHAIRO:
"Balbus has confined, bound, and gagged me. I owe my freedom now to Neaera, who will see that this reaches you.
"VERB. SAP."
Not a word in this interesting document was literally false; and yet itwas obvious how falsely Neaera meant to use it.
The Woman Who Vowed (The Demetrian) Page 12