od. He is a javelin-thrower--an expert."

"Has he a javelin under the cloak?" the centurion asked suspiciously.

"He is unarmed, of course. Do you take us for madmen?"

"All Rome is mad tonight," said the centurion, "or I wouldn't be arguing
with a gladiator! Tell me what you know. A sentry said you saw the
death of Pavonius Nasor. All the sentries who were in the tunnel at the
time are under lock and key, and I expect to be ordered to have the poor
devils killed to silence them. And now Bultius Livius--have you heard
about it?"

"I have heard Caesar sent for him."

"Well, if Caesar has sent for this friend of yours, he had better first
made sacrifices to his gods and pray for something better than befell
poor Livius! Yourself too! They say Livius is being racked--doubtless
to make him tell more than he knows. I smell panic in the air. With
all these palace slaves coming and going you can't check rumor and I'll
wager there is already an exodus from Rome. Gods! What a night for
travel! Morning will see the country roads all choked with the
conveyances of bogged up senators! Let us pray this friend of yours may
soften Caesar's mood. Where is his admission paper?"

"As I told the decurion, I have none."

"That settles it then; he can't enter. No risks--not when I know the
mood our Commodus is in! The commander might take the responsibility,
but not I."

"Where is he?" asked Narcissus.

"Where any lucky fellow is on such a night--in bed. I wouldn't dare to
send for him for less than riots, mutiny and all Rome burning! Let your
man wait here. Go you into the palace and get a written permit for
him."

But nothing was more probable than that such a permit would be
unobtainable.

Sextus stepped into the firelight, pulling back the hood to let the
centurion see his face.

"By Mars' red plume! Are you the man they call Maternus?"

Sextus retorted with a challenge:

"Now will you send for your commander? He knows me well."

"Dioscuri! Doubtless! Probably you robbed him of his purse! By
Romulus and Remus, what is happening to Rome? That falling star last
night portended, did it, that a highwayman should dare to try to enter
Caesar's palace! Ho there, decurion! Bring four men!"

The decurion clanked in. His men surrounded Sextus at a gesture.

"I ought to put you both in cells," said the centurion. "But you shall
have a chance to justify yourself, Narcissus. Go on in. Bring Caesar