Part 45 (2/2)

”I heed him not, now that brave men work. It were time that our trusty servant, the commander at Isurium, had sent the message, with the token I left him on my departure. Ere this, we ought to have known the hour we may expect his troops to move on the capital. I had thought to have made all safe; to have put it beyond the power of fate to frustrate our purpose; but I was foiled like a beardless boy at his weapons.” He gnashed his teeth as he spoke; and this monster of cruelty breathed a horrible threat against the life even of a parent and a king.

”Here is the roll,” said one, who from his inkhorn and reed-pen seemed to be the scribe; and whose ambition had been lured by a promise that he should have the office of s.e.xtumvir in the imperial city.

”Here be the names and disposition of the troops; the avenues and gates to which they are appointed.”

”We but wait a messenger from Isurium to make our plans complete,” said Caracalla. ”By the same courier I send back this cypher. Examine it, Fabricius. The troops of Lucius Claudius are to march directly on the Forum, and slay all who attempt resistance. Thou, Virius Lupus, wilt guide them through the secret pa.s.sage into the palace.”

The secretary bowed a.s.sent.

”Though the empress knows not our high purpose, it is by her connivance we are here, safe from the emperor's spies. Under her mantle we are hidden. Suspicion hath crossed her that I am about to head the troops; that my father, oppressed with age and infirmities, will retire to Rome; and that I, Caracalla, rule in Britain.”

”Then she knows not the mishap of yesternight?”

”She knows of the attempt, but not the agent. I would the messenger were come. 'Tis an unforeseen delay. I pray the G.o.ds there be not treachery somewhere. The officers and guard at the Calcarian gate and the bridge are ours; they were instructed to obey the signet.”

”We will vouch for their fidelity,” said two or three of the conspirators.

”Should he not arrive before midnight, we must strike,” said Fabricius.

”Ay, as before,” said the more cautious secretary. ”But we may now get a broken head for our pains.”

”The time brooks not delay,” said Caracalla. ”Every moment now is big with danger to our enterprise.”

”Be not again too hasty,” replied the secretary, ”there be none that will divulge our plans. Let every part be complete before we act. We cannot succeed, should there be a disjointed purpose.”

Caracalla vehement, and unused to the curb, was about to reply, when the door opened and a dumb slave slowly entered. He crossed his hands, and pointed to the door.

”A messenger,” said they all.

”The G.o.ds are at last propitious,” said Caracalla. ”Let him approach.”

Soon one was led in by the sentinel, blindfolded, and the latter immediately withdrew.

”The sign,” cried the secretary.

The stranger, without hesitation, presented a ring.

”'Tis the same,” said Caracalla. He touched a concealed spring in the signet, and from underneath the gem drew forth a little paper with a sc.r.a.p of writing in cypher. It was held before the lamp, and the intelligence it contained rendered their plot complete. Ere break of day the deed would be accomplished. The morning would see Caracalla proclaimed, and Severus deposed.

”Have ye any token to my master?” inquired the messenger.

”Take back this writing,” said Virius Lupus. ”Thou wilt find him not far from the city. We wait his coming.”

”This leaden-heeled Mercury should have a largess,” said the chief, ”but in this den we have not wherewithal to give him. Hold! here is a good recompence, methinks,” continued he, taking the crystal goblet from a recess. ”Take this to thy mistress, and tell her to buy it from thee. We will see her anon. That charmed cup hath foiled me once, but I will foil thee now, and the powers thou servest. Thou shall not again cross my path!”

Cedric took the gift, wrapping it beneath his cloak.

”Thou mayest depart.”

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