Volume Ii Part 29 (1/2)
”It is so, by the slumber of Justinian!” cried Belisarius. ”Bishop of Rome, what have you to say?”
Silverius had with difficulty composed himself.
He saw the edifice which he had been constructing his whole life, sink into the ground before him.
With a voice half choked by despair, he answered:
”I found the doc.u.ment in the archives of the Church a few months ago.
If it is as you say, I have been deceived as well as you.”
”But we are not deceived,” said Cethegus, smiling.
”I knew nothing of that stamp, I swear it by the wounds of Christ!”
”I believe it without an oath. Holy Father,” interposed Cethegus.
”You will acknowledge, priest,” said Belisarius, ”that the strictest examination into this affair----”
”I demand it as my right,” cried Silverius.
”You shall have it, doubt it not! But I will not venture to judge in this case. Only the wisdom of Emperor Justinian himself can here decide upon what is right. Vulkaris, my faithful Herulian! I herewith deliver into your keeping the person of the Bishop of Some. You will at once take him on board a vessel, and conduct him to Byzantium!”
”I put in a protest!” cried Silverius. ”No one on earth can try me but a council of the orthodox Church. I demand to be taken to Rome.”
”Rome you will never see again. And Emperor Justinian, who is justice itself, will decide upon your protest with Trebonia.n.u.s. But I think your companions, Scaevola and Albinus, the false accusers of the Prefect (who has proved himself to be the best and warmest friend of the Emperor), highly suspicious. Let Justinian decide how far they are innocent. Take them too, Vulkaris, take them in chains to Byzantium. By sea. Now take them out by the back door of the tent, not through the camp. Vulkaris, this priest is the Emperor's _worst_ enemy. You will answer for him with your head!”
”I will answer for him,” said the gigantic Herulian, coming forward and laying his mailed hand upon the Bishop's shoulder.--”Away with you, priest! On board! He shall die, ere I will let him escape.”
Silverius saw that further resistance would only excite compulsion dangerous to his dignity. He submitted, and walked beside the German, who did not withdraw his hand, towards the door in the back of the tent, which was opened by a sentry.
The Bishop was obliged to pa.s.s close to Cethegus. He lowered his head and did not look at him, but he heard a voice whisper:
”Silverius, this moment repays me for your victory in the Catacombs.
Now we are quits!”
CHAPTER XII.
As soon as the Bishop had left the tent, Belisarius rose eagerly from his seat, hurried to the Prefect, and embraced him.
”Accept my thanks, Cethegus Caesarius! Your reward will not be wanting.
I will tell the Emperor that for him you have to-day saved Rome.”
But Cethegus smiled.
”My acts reward themselves.”
The intellectual struggle, the rapid alternation of anger, fear, anxiety, and triumph had exhausted the hero Belisarius more than half a day of battle. He longed for rest and refreshment, and dismissed his generals, none of whom left the tent without speaking a word of acknowledgment to the Prefect.