to carry you through the streets, without making an
uproar; and then Lydon and Chaerea put you to bed; and I, and Geta, and
Ardaric, as for us, we got drunk, seeing there was no more work to do last
night, and not knowing what might be to do, to-day. And so it is all well,
very well, as I see it."

"Well, call you it, when he has got off unscathed, and lives to avenge
himself, and betray me?"

"But he swore he would do neither, Catiline," answered the simple-minded
son of the forest.

"Swore!" replied the conspirator, with a fell sneer.

"Ay did he, master! swore by all that was sacred he would never betray any
man, and you least of all; and I believe he will keep his promise."

"So do I," answered Catiline, bitterly, "I swear he shall; not for the
lack of will, but of means to do otherwise! You are a stupid brute,
Arminius; but useful in your way. I have no need of you to-day, so go and
tell the butler to give you wine enough to make all three of you drunk
again; but mind that ye are sound, clear-headed, and alert at day-break
to-morrow."

"But will he give it to me at my bidding?"

"If not, send him to me for orders; now, begone."

"I ask for nothing better," replied the gladiator, and withdrew, without
any word or gesture of salutation, in truth, despising the Roman in his
heart as deeply for what he deemed his over-craftiness and
over-civilization, as the more polished Greek did, for what on his side he
considered the utter absence of both.

Scarce had the German left the room, before the Greek returned, smiling,
and seemingly well satisfied with the result of his mission.

Catiline looked at him steadily, and nodding his head, asked him quietly--

"Are they prepared, Chaerea?"

"To do anything you would have them, Catiline. Stolo, it seems, is again
emperilled--another charge of attempt to murder--and he wants you to screen
him."

"And so I will; and will do more. I will make him rich and great, if he do
my bidding. Now go, and make them understand this. They must swear that
they came hither this morning to claim my aid in bringing them to speech
with Lentulus, the Praetor, and then thou must be prepared to swear,
Chaerea, that I have had no speech or communication with them at all--which
is quite true."

"That is a pity," answered the Greek, coolly; "for any one can swear
steadily to the truth, but it requires genius to carry out a lie bravely."

"Oh! never fear, thou shalt have lies enough to sw