hose qualities of courage
and of statesmanship for which the citizens of Rome already know me.
To-morrow I go to the opening of the games in the Circus. Mayhap there
will be a tumult amongst the people, and mayhap a damnable traitor will
make an attempt against the sacred life of one who is god and Caesar and
emperor all in one. If all this occurs, and I find that thou didst not
lie, then will I give thee such reward as even thou dost not at present
dream of. But if between now and to-morrow I find that thou didst lie,
that thou didst try to gain my favour and didst rouse my wrath only for
the gaining of thine own ends, that thou didst slander Roman patricians
with a view to removing thine own personal enemies, then will I devise
for thee such punishment that on thy knees wilt beg of death to release
thee from torment. And thou didst know, O Caius Nepos, that in the
inventing of torture thy Caesar has the genius of a god."

His voice had become perfectly steady and natural in its tones; all his
restless, jerky movements had ceased. Outwardly he seemed to be
completely master of himself. But of a truth the aspect of the madman
now was more terrible than before. His sallow cheeks were the colour of
lead, his pale eyes had narrowed down till they were mere slits through
which gleams of deadly hate shot mercilessly on the informer.

Caius Nepos had great difficulty in keeping up an appearance of dignity.
It was obviously in his interest to show neither confusion nor fear just
now. Nothing but calm demeanour and a proud show of loyalty would ensure
his personal safety at this moment. The praetorian praefect knew enough
of the imperial despot to appreciate the danger of this outwardly quiet
mood, which hid the utter callousness of demoniacal cruelty.

Therefore, in response to the horrible threat, Caius Nepos merely bent
his head as if in humble submission to the will of one who was as a god.
He felt his teeth chattering against one another, his limbs trembling,
his blood frozen within him, and with it all he had the additional
horror of knowing that the brutish tyrant was looking him through and
through, that he saw the fear in him and was gloating on it with
delight.

It was with a feeling of inexpressible relief that he at last understood
that he was being dismissed. Steadying his limbs as best he could, he
rose from his couch and made obeisance before the Caesar. Then almost
mechanically and like one in a dream, but ho