‘Well, you are perhaps right; for when the watchmen find the old man in the gutter next morning, it will be said that he met his end at the hands of thieves, who gave him a knock a little too heavy—not the first since this good city was built.’
Afer nodded and said,
‘Come to-night, as I bade you.’
‘I will. Am I not to have the honour of following you toward the city?’
‘No,’ replied the knight, turning away; ‘I go to the camp. Be discreet—this will make us or mar us.’
Cestus bowed and loitered away leisurely in the direction of the Esquiline Gate, whilst Afer walked quickly toward the Viminal Plain, on the border of which lay the ramparts of the Pretorian camp.
CHAPTER VI.
Whilst this conversation, which we have related, was passing between Afer and his client, a small coasting vessel was ascending the river Tiber, making slow headway against the current. In the little poop-house, along with the captain of the craft, was standing Masthlion, an interested observer of all that passed within view, as they wound up the famous stream.