domarius unawares, through the rapidity of his
movements, in order to secure his own safety and that of the provinces.
And the plan which he decided on was this.

2. He sent to those districts Philagrius, one of his secretaries,
afterwards count of the East, in whose proved prudence and fidelity he
could thoroughly rely; and besides a general authority to act as he
could upon emergencies, he gave him also a paper signed by himself,
which he bade him not to open nor read unless Vadomarius appeared on the
western side of the Rhine.

3. Philagrius went as he was ordered, and while he was in that district
busying himself with various arrangements, Vadomarius crossed the river,
as if he had nothing to fear, in a time of profound peace, and
pretending to know of nothing having been done contrary to treaty, when
he saw the commander of the troops who were stationed there, made him a
short customary speech, and to remove all suspicion, of his own accord
promised to come to a banquet to which Philagrius also had been invited.

4. As soon as Philagrius arrived, when he saw the king, he recollected
Julian's words, and pretending some serious and urgent business,
returned to his lodging, where having read the paper intrusted to him,
and learnt what he was to do, he immediately returned and took his seat
among the rest.

5. But when the banquet was over he boldly arrested Vadomarius, and gave
him to the commander of the forces, to be kept in strict custody in the
camp, reading to him the commands he had received; but as nothing was
mentioned about Vadomarius's retinue, he ordered them to return to their
own country.

6. But the king was afterwards conducted to Julian's camp, and
despaired of pardon when he heard that his secretary had been taken, and
the letters which he had written to Constantius read; he was however not
even reproached by Julian, but merely sent off to Spain, as it was an
object of great importance that, while Julian was absent from Gaul, this
ferocious man should not be able to throw into confusion the provinces
which had been tranquillized with such great difficulty.

7. Julian, being much elated at this occurrence, since the king, whom he
feared to leave behind him while at a distance, had been caught more
quickly than he expected, without delay prepared to attack the
barbarians who, as we have just related, had slain Count Libino and some
of his soldiers in battle.

8. And to prevent any rumour of his