When he had begun to despair, and would not even take food, Demetrios arrived one day, ignorant of all these events. When he learned how things stood he came running forthwith to the prison, but he was not admitted then, for it was evening, and the jailer had locked the door some time before and gone to sleep, bidding his slaves to keep guard. But early in the morning he got in, after many supplications, and, passing along, sought Antiphilos for a long time, whose sufferings had made him unrecognizable. Making the round he examined each of the prisoners, as people do who are searching in the ranks for their own dead, already disfigured by death. And if he had not called his name, "Antiphilos Deinomenous!" it would have been some time before he recognized him, so greatly was he changed by the horrors he had experienced. But when Antiphilos heard the voice he called in reply, and, as the other approached, he parted his hair, filthy and matted with dirt, and drew it back from his face and showed who he was. Both the friends fell swooning at the unexpected sight, but presently Demetrios raised himself and Antiphilos too, and inquired of him exactly how everything stood. He bade him be of good courage, and, tearing his cloak in two, he wrapped himself in one half and the other he gave to Antiphilos, stripping off the dirty, ragged clouts he wore.

After this he kept him company, caring for him and serving him in every way. He hired himself to the merchants at the docks from daybreak till noon, and earned a good wage as a stevedore. Then, leaving his work, he handed over part of his earnings to the jailer, whom he thus rendered gentle and peaceable, and the rest sufficed him for his friend's maintenance. Through the day he used to stay with Antiphilos, cheering him up; but when night fell he would rest close by the door on a little bed he had made, with leaves thrown on it. Some time, then, they passed in this way, Demetrios being free of entry and Antiphilos finding his misfortunes easier to bear.

But after a certain robber died in the prison, apparently of poison, a strict guard was instituted, and no permissions whatever were granted to those who asked to visit the prison. In these circumstances Demetrios was in despair and grief, and, having no other means of being near his friend, he went to the governor and denounced himself as having a share in the undertaking against Anoubis. At this statement he was forthwith taken off to prison and brought to Antiphilos, for by many prayers to the jailer he contrived by his authority to be fastened next to his friend in the same stocks. It was then he showed most plainly the tenderness he had for him by disregarding his own sufferings. And yet he fell ill himself, but he suffered the less because his mind was bent on securing rest for his friend. So they bore their troubles lightly, being together.

After a while an event happened, as follows, which put an end to their misfortunes. One of the prisoners provided himself with a file from some source or other, and, with many of the captives for accomplices, sawed off the chain to which they were fastened in a row, their wooden collars being hung on it, and set them all free. They had no difficulty in killing the guards, who were few in number, and then scattered in all directions as each best could, most of them being taken again afterwards. But Demetrios and Antiphilos stayed on the spot, and even held Syros, who was in the act of running off. When day broke and the governor of Egypt heard what had happened, he despatched men to pursue the runaways; but sending for Demetrios and his friend he freed them from their fetters, and praised them for having been the only ones who did not make off. However, they were not the men to be satisfied with this dismissal. On the contrary, Demetrios cried aloud with indignation that it would be a great injustice if they were to appear to be criminals who had been liberated out of pity or by way of commendation for not having run away, and finally he compelled the magistrate to make a careful examination of the matter. When he had informed himself of their innocence he dismissed them with eulogies, expressing great admiration for Demetrios in particular, and condoling with them on the punishment which they had unjustly borne. He made them each a present out of his own pocket, two thousand dollars to Antiphilos and twice as much to Demetrios.