‘What!’ almost yelled the ruffian. His eyes stared as if to start from his head, and his breath came in gasps, as though he had been plunged into ice-cold water. ‘Five hu— five hundred sestertia! Patron—why—for that you might bid me tap a senator, a consul—Sejanus—Caesar himself.’
‘Enough!’ replied Afer. ‘I am glad you consider the terms liberal; I myself am sure of it. You will not have the desperate office of harming any one of those you have mentioned.’
‘So much the better! Patron, you are the easiest of masters.’
‘It is a bargain then—you will be prompt, faithful, and secret?’
‘Have I ever failed?’
‘I cannot remember that you have; it is to your interest, as to mine, to remain so trustworthy. I have told you that before, and your common-sense cannot but perceive it. Five hundred sestertia are not to be picked up every day for the light labour of a few hours, together with the simple task of keeping one’s mouth shut concerning the matter. You are not such a fool, I think, as to destroy a profitable business connection, Cestus.’
‘You speak truly indeed, noble Afer—have no fear therefore. I am ready to receive your commands and instructions for the business.’
‘The first is this,’ said the knight emphatically, ‘that from the first moment, until the affair is satisfactorily settled, you abstain from the wine-pot.’
‘I will swear by the aqueducts, patron.’
‘Good! You will require, say, three stout fellows to help you. You will select them and pay them a certain sum, and tell them no more than that they are to help in a highway theft. You can, no doubt, find individuals who are accustomed to such work.’