Part 20 (1/2)
”If he vomits he will not die!” Marcia exclaimed Galen nodded He appeared immensely satisfied-expectant
”Galen, have you-will that poison kill him?” Marcia demanded
”No,” said Galen ”Pertinax must kill him I promised I would do my best for Pertinax Behold your opportunity!”
Pertinax strode toward hier underneath his tunic
”Kill me if you wish,” said Galen, ”but if you have any resolution you had better do first what you wanted me to do And you will needand in the pauses roaring like a mad beast Marcia seized Pertinax by the arm ”I have done my part,” she said ”Now nerve yourself! Go in now and finish it!”
”He may die yet Let us wait and see,” said Pertinax
A howl rising to a screaain the noise of vo of the bed as Commodus writhed in the spasms of cramp
”He will feel better presently,” said Galen
”If so, you die first! You have betrayed us all!” Pertinax shook off Marcia and scowled at Galen, raising his right arm as if about to strike the old man ”False to your e to die, if first Iup at him
”Hush!+” exclaimed Marcia ”Listen! Gods! He is up off the bed! He will be in here in a minute! Pertinax!”
Alarm subsided They could hear the thud and creak as Coroans of agony Between the spasan to fra ,” said Galen
”Give er!” said Marcia and clutched at Pertinax' tunic, feeling for it
But she was not even strong enough to resist the half-conte hich Pertinax thrust her away
”You disgust nity nor decency in this,” hebut evil can come of it”
”Whose was the star that fell?” asked Galen
There ca to get to his feet again Marcia ran toward the sed the curtains back
”Narcissus!”
He ca Telamonion The child lay asleep in his aro in and kill the emperor! He has poisoned hier, Pertinax!”
”I aht that a slave should kill an eladiator by the shoulders, scanned his face, sahat she looked for and bargained for it instantly
”Your freedom! Manu!” said Narcissus