Volume Iii Part 53 (1/2)

”Horrible poetry!” exclaimed Salvius Julia.n.u.s.

”Who knows,” said Piso, laughing, ”whether the thirst of the Goths will not become immortal through these verses?”

”But now tell me exactly what Na.r.s.es answered?” said Cethegus.

”First he listened to us with great incredulity,” replied Licinius, ”He asked suspiciously, 'Is it possible that the prudent Romans can again beg for an Isaurian garrison and the Prefect, whom they have to thank for so much famine and unwilling valour?' But I answered that he under-rated the patriotism of the Romans, and that it was your affair if you had deceived yourself. If the Romans did not voluntarily admit us, your seven thousand men were too weak to storm the city. This seemed to convince him. He only required our promise that, if we were not admitted voluntarily, we would at once return here.”

”And we thought we might well venture to promise this in your name,”

concluded Julia.n.u.s.

”You were right,” said Cethegus, with a smile.

”Na.r.s.es then said that he would not hinder us if the Romans liked to have us. And he is so completely harmless,” Licinius went on, ”that he does not seem to wish to detain you, even as a hostage; for he inquired when the Prefect would start. Therefore he must have taken it for granted that you would lead the Isaurians to Rome yourself. And he has nothing to say against that either. He was evidently surprised when I answered that you preferred to witness here the destruction of the Goths.”

”Well,” said Cethegus, ”where, then, is this terrible Na.r.s.es, the great statesman! Even my friend Procopius sadly over-rated him, when he once named him to me as the greatest man of the time.”

”The greatest man of the time is--some one else,” cried Licinius.

”It was natural that Procopius should give the palm to the superior enemy of his Belisarius. But one almost ought to take advantage of the clumsy blunder made by the 'greatest man,'” continued Cethegus reflectively. ”The G.o.ds might be angry if we did not make use of the miracle of infatuation which they have accomplished for us. I alter my resolution; I long to get to the Capitol; I will go with you to Rome.

Syphax, we will start--at once! Saddle my horse!”

But Syphax gave his master a warning look.

”Leave me, tribunes!” said Cethegus, ”I will recall you directly.”

”O sir!” cried Syphax eagerly, as soon as they were alone, ”do not go to-day! Send the others on in advance. To-morrow early I shall fish two great secrets out of the sea. Diving under his boat, I have already spoken to the fisherman I mentioned. He is no fisher, he is a slave, a post-slave belonging to Procopius.”

”What do you say?” asked Cethegus hastily and in a low tone.

”We could only exchange a few words in a whisper. The Longobardians stood on the sh.o.r.e watching us. Seven letters from Procopius, sent either openly or secretly, have never reached you. He therefore chose this clever messenger, who will fish to-night by moonlight and give me the letter. He had not brought it with him to-day. And to-morrow early--to-day he was too ill--Na.r.s.es will again bathe in the sea. I have found a hiding-place among the weeds; quite close. And should they chance to see bubbles rising from the water, I can whistle like an otter. I saw the imperial post arrive with well-filled mail-bags.

Basiliskos took them. Do but wait until to-morrow early; Na.r.s.es will be sure to talk over the latest secrets from Byzantium with Basiliskos and Alboin. Or at least leave me here alone----”

”No, that would be at once to betray you as a spy. You are worth more than ten times your weight in gold, Syphax!--I shall remain here till to-morrow,” he continued, as the tribunes again entered.

”Oh, come with us!” begged Licinius.

”Away from the oppressive influence of this Na.r.s.es!” added Julia.n.u.s.

But Cethegus frowned.

”Does he still over-top me in your eyes, this fool, who allows Cethegus to escape from his well-guarded camp to Rome; who throws the fish out of his net into the water? Verily, he has too much intimidated you!

To-morrow evening I will follow you. I have still some business to transact here, which no one but myself can complete. Meanwhile, if Rome does not resist, you can occupy it without me. But I shall surely overtake you at Terracina. If not, march into Rome. You, Licinius, will keep the Capitol for me.”

With sparkling eyes Licinius exclaimed: ”You honour me highly, my general! I will answer for the Capitol with my life! May I venture a pet.i.tion?”