I
_must_ go--I will return again. And who will seek my secret in the
marble Caesar?"

If the water in the amethyst cup had been the strongest wine, it could
not have had a more intoxicating effect than this soliloquy or dialogue
with the colossal statue which Cethegus worshipped like a god.

The unnatural strain upon all his mental and physical powers during the
last few weeks; the unsuccessful attempt to persuade the people on the
Forum; the conception of a new and desperate plan as soon as he had
been defeated in the first, and the consuming anxiety with which he
awaited its execution, had excited and exhausted the iron nerves of the
Prefect to the utmost.

He thought, spoke, and acted as if in a high fever.

Tired out, he threw himself upon his couch at the foot of the statue;
and suddenly sleep overcame him.

But it was not the sound sleep which, until now, he had been able to
command at will, even after some criminal act or before a dangerous
enterprise: the result of a strong constitution which was superior to
all excitement.

For the first time his slumber was uneasy, disturbed by changeful
dreams, which, like the fancies of a delirious man, chased each other
through his brain.

At last the visions of the dreamer took a more concrete form.

He saw the statue at the feet of which he lay, grow and grow. The
majestic head rose higher and higher, and passed through the roof of
the house. With its crown of laurel it at last penetrated the clouds,
and towered into the starry heavens.

"Take me with thee!" sighed Cethegus.

But the demigod replied:

"I can scarcely see thee from this height. Thou art too small! Thou
canst not follow me."

And it seemed to Cethegus that a thunderbolt fell and shattered the
roof of his house. With a crash the beams fell upon him, burying him
under the ruins. The statue of Caesar also broke and fell.

And crash after crash echoed through the place.

Cethegus woke, sprang up, and looked around in bewilderment.

CHAPTER XI.

The sound continued.

It was real--no dream! Blow after blow fell thundering against the door
of his house.

Cethegus caught up his helm and sword.

At that moment Syphax and Lucius rushed into the room.

"Up, general!"

"Up, Cethegus!"

"Two hours cannot yet have passed. Why have you awakened me?"

"The Goths! They have been beforehand with us! They storm the
bulwarks!"

"Damn them! Where do they s