The Suffet had speedily calculated whether the sums present corresponded with the gains and losses which had just been read to him; and he was going away when he perceived three brass jars completely empty.

Abdalonim turned away his head to mark his horror, and Hamilcar, resigning himself to it, said nothing.
They crossed other passages and other halls, and at last reached a door where, to ensure its better protection and in accordance with a Roman custom lately introduced into Carthage, a man was fastened by the waist to a long chain let into the wall.

His beard and nails had grown to an immoderate length, and he swayed himself from right to left with that continual oscillation which is characteristic of captive animals.

As soon as he recognised Hamilcar he darted towards him, crying: "Pardon, Eye of Baal! pity! kill me! For ten years I have not seen the sun! In your father's name, pardon!" Hamilcar, without answering him, clapped his hands and three men appeared; and all four simultaneously stiffening their arms, drew back from its rings the enormous bar which closed the door.

Hamilcar took a torch and disappeared into the darkness.
This was believed to be the family burying-place; but nothing would have been found in it except a broad well.