we bring not some written testimony in
a matter so grave?" So the conspirators gave them a letter and thereby
made manifest proof of their guilt. For a certain slave had conceived
some suspicion of the matter, but waited for some more certain
knowledge. Now it fell out that on the night before the day when the
ambassador should depart there was a banquet at the house of them that
had chief charge of the matter in Rome, at which banquet there was much
talk, none being present but such as were privy to the plot. But the
slave of whom mention has been made, having hidden himself, overheard
that which was said; and when he knew that the letter had been given, he
carried the matter straightway to the Consuls, who going laid hands on
the ambassadors and on them that were privy to the plot, and so without
uproar or violence brought the matter to an end. They that would have
betrayed their country were thrown straightway into prison; as for the
ambassadors, men doubted awhile how they should deal with them; but
judged it better to send them away unhurt for all their misdoing. About
the Kings goods counsel was taken anew; and the Senate decreed that
neither should they be given back, nor should the price of them be
brought into the treasury, but rather that the people should spoil them
at their will. This having been done, the conspirators were brought to
judgment, and being condemned, suffered death, being first beaten with
rods and then beheaded. Now the Consuls' office was that, sitting in
their seats, they should see sentence executed on evil doers. And this
they did, nor did Brutus turn away from his duty, for all that his own
sons were done to death before his eyes, but sat in his place, seeing
that all things were done according to the law. As for the slave that
bare witness against the conspirators, he had freedom and citizenship
for his reward.

[Illustration: Brutus condemning his sons to death 118]

The end of Brutus was this. The men of Veii and the men of Tarquinii
gathered together their armies and marched against Rome, that they
might bring back King Tarquin. And the Romans came forth to meet them,
Valerius having command of the foot soldiers and Brutus riding before
with the horsemen. In the host of the enemy also the horsemen had the
first place, their leaders being Aruns son of King Tarquin. And the
lictors told Aruns, while they were yet far off, "See there is Brutus
the Consul," who himself also, when the a