CHAPTER NINE
Quintus, startled, started to say something but the door to the apartment swept open and in hurried the tall form of Hassad. The darkly tanned horseman from the sands of Africa looked exhausted. His plain clothes were caked with mud and salt, his feet caked in sweat and grime.
"Hassad," the tribune said coming to his feet and walking around the table to grip the arm of the exhausted ex-legionnaire. "Here. Sit and drink some wine. Eat something and rest first."
The tall African sat and gulped down a goblet of wine. But, pushing away the food offered to him by Decimus, he shook his head and began his report.
"I found two fishermen who witnessed a most unusual sight the other night near the salt marches. A boat, heavy in the water, with a guide holding a torch over his head,
