‘Come then, we will go down—we may be seen.’
‘It would be safer—there may be curious eyes prying,’ rejoined Tucca.
CHAPTER V.
Shortly before noon on the same morning Domitius Afer climbed the steep path which led to the Prefect’s house. On arriving at the villa he found that Sejanus had gone to the Emperor’s stronghold on the eastern cliffs, where the Pretorians on duty in the island were barracked. Thither he thought it worth while to follow. Coming out of the gates of the villa Jovis he met Martialis, arrayed in simple civilian costume. With the barest recognition possible they went on their way, but Afer was sufficiently interested to tell his Greek attendant to loiter behind, and watch which way the young Centurion aimed for.
Three sides of the Emperor’s favourite villa were surrounded by strong defences. The fourth side, since it rested on the edge of the cliffs, was impregnable to everything save the birds of the air. Between the villa with its private grounds, and the outside girdle of defence, was an ample space, partly planted with trees. It was occupied, in one part, by a range of buildings, which were the quarters of the Pretorian detachment garrisoning the island during its tenure as an Imperial residence. The entrances of the villa itself were each guarded by the customary legionary, but, elsewhere, Afer met with no challenge to impede his steps. In the middle of the wide parade ground fronting the barrack houses, he perceived the Prefect speaking with an officer, who was a man approaching the gigantic in stature.
Afer loitered apart until the huge Pretorian officer went off, and then Sejanus turned towards him. ‘Good morrow, my Titus! Did you climb to the villa this morning?’
‘As usual, Prefect.’
‘I rested ill last night, and was astir earlier in consequence,’ said Sejanus. ‘There is nothing new from Rome.’