erer, but by the sword of the hero!"

"You speak nobly, Cethegus. And will you really place _me_, untried and
without fame, amongst your brave knights? How can I thank you!"

"Spare your thanks until all is ended--until we meet again. Meanwhile
warn the conspirators. That alone will be a proof of courage. For, as
it seems you are followed, I think it a dangerous task. If you shun the
danger, say so frankly."

"_I_ hesitate to give the first proof of my courage! I would go and
warn them, even if certain death were the consequence."

He pressed the Prefect's hand, and hurried away.

As soon as he was gone, Syphax brought in the tribune Piso through
another door.

"Master of Iambics," cried Cethegus, "you must now be as quick-footed
as your verses! Enough of conspiracy and creeping here in Byzantium!
You must immediately seek all the young Romans who frequent the house
of Photius. The setting sun must find none of you within those walls.
Your lives depend upon it. No one must go to the 'evening feast' at
Photius's house. Go hunting, singly or in groups; make boat-races on
the Bosphorus; only hurry away. The conspiracy is superfluous. The
sound of the trumpet will soon summon you to battle against the
barbarians in Latium. Away with you all! Wait for me at Epidamnus.
Thence, with my Isaurians, I will fetch you to the third fight for
Rome. Away!--Syphax," he said, when left alone with his slave, "have
you inquired at the great general's house? When is he expected back?"

"At sunset."

"Is his faithful wife at home? Good. Bring a litter--not mine--bring
the first you find at the Hippodrome. The blinds must shut closely.
Take it to the harbour, into the back street of the slop-dealers."

"Sir, the worst rabble of this city of vagabonds dwell in that street.
What will you do there?"

"I will there enter the litter, and then go to the Red House."

CHAPTER X.

In the Red House, the abode of Belisarius, which was situated in the
suburb "Justiniana" (Sycae), sat Antonina in the women's chamber,
working busily.

She was embroidering a border of golden laurels upon a mantle for her
hero, Belisarius.

Near her, upon a citron-wood table, lay, in a costly binding set with
precious stones, a splendid edition of the "Vandal Wars," by Procopius,
the lately published book which described her husband's prowess.

At her feet lay a magnificent animal, one of the four tame hunting
leopar