‘Thank the kind gods you have thereby relieved me of a heavy load, and I fear have—but that is for me alone.’
‘But know you nothing more than the young fellow’s name?’ demanded Cestus.
‘I inquired in Rome. He bears a high character.’
‘He is a citizen then. What brought him here?’
‘He is a Pretorian Centurion with the Prefect at present in Capreae.’
‘Ho! ho!’ murmured Cestus, ‘this may be useful. I am sorry you had your journey to Rome for nothing, kinsman; but I am not too late, as it happens, to ease your mind. I can, as you know, help you in this matter, and I really came with much the same business in my head. It is a long story, and had best be entered upon when we have a flagon of wine between us, and the women asleep in bed upstairs.’
‘Good; that will be to-night, if you are not too tired,’ replied Masthlion, with a sigh of deep satisfaction.
‘Meanwhile, fob the Pretorian off; it may, perhaps, be worth his while—who knows?’
Masthlion retired to make himself presentable, and when both men appeared below, they found a simple meal ready awaiting them.
They did not recline on couches to their food, after the luxurious manner of the higher classes, but sat round the table in the simple old-fashioned way. Cestus ate and drank vigorously. Nor did his tongue remain idle. Among many things, he informed them that he had met with a severe accident, in which he had broken some ribs, and in consequence of which his master had granted him leave of absence to visit his kinsfolk, as soon as he was able to move.