"We must look stern and deliberate," said Ancyrus. "Dost know, O Caius Nepos, if he is at one with us?"
"We must enlist him," rejoined the latter hurriedly; "he holds the plebs, and without his help our position might become difficult. A word from him to the crowd and the new Cæsar is assured of peace within the city."
"Then do thou tell him what has been decided," said one of the others who was busy smoothing his tangled hair.
"No, no!" whispered cautious Ancyrus, the elder, "have a care ... thou, Caius Nepos, must probe him ere thou speakest."
"Tell him naught of Escanes' dagger," added another hurriedly.
"Speak of abdication," said the older man, "of anything that comes in thy mind. Some men there are who——"
But he had no time to explain his meaning further, for the next moment Taurus Antinor stepped into the room.