"Not one," repeated Anicius. "Procopius--unfortunately he has gone to
examine the buildings which Justinian has erected in Asia--was present,
and has often told me the names of all who were with him. When he
returns, I will make a careful inquiry of what my brother did just
before the sally. Into whose house or tent he went--I will not rest, I
will ask all the still living comrades of Severinus where they saw him
last before he rode out."

"You are very acute for your years," said the Prefect with a strange
smile. "What will you be when you are arrived at maturity? But
certainly you are in a good school. Does the Empress know of this
letter?"

"No. And she shall never hear of it. Do not name her to me! This duty
of revenge has been sent by God to tear me away from her!"

"But she sent you to me?"

"In another affair, which, however, shall end very differently to what
she intends. A few hours ago she sent for me, and asked me once again
if it was so very terrible to be kept in a golden cage. But the woman
disgusts me. And I heartily regret the months that I have wasted at her
side, while my brother fought and fell for the fatherland. I gave her
such a rude answer, that I expected a storm. But, to my astonishment,
she was perfectly quiet, and said, smiling, 'Be it so. No faithfulness
lasts long. Go to Antonina, or to Virtue, or to both goddesses. But, as
a last sign of my favour, I will save you from certain destruction.
There exists in Byzantium a conspiracy against the life or free will of
Justinian. Be quiet--I know it. I know also that you are already half
won; that you have not yet gone to any of their meetings, but that you
have the documents of the conspiracy in your keeping. I have allowed
them to do as they liked, because there are some of my old enemies
amongst them, whom I wish to ruin. In a few days they will be
surprised. But I will warn and save you. Go to the Prefect. He must
take you with him away from Byzantium. Tell him that you are in danger,
and that Theodora sends you. But say nothing to him of the conspiracy.
There are some of his tribunes concerned in it, whom he would gladly
save, but whom I will destroy.' All this she said to me, and I came,
but not to fly! I came to warn you and my Roman comrades. I shall also
go to the meeting--there is no danger for to-day, the Empress said--and
warn them all. I shall tell them that the conspiracy is discovered. You
must not be there, Prefect; you must not