"I have forgotten," said Mpingu.
The official nodded to the centurion. The soldiers seized Mpingu and threw him roughly to the floor, four of them holding him there, one seated upon each limb.
"The tongs!" directed the official, and the slave handed the instrument to the centurion.
"Wait!" screamed Mpingu. "I will tell you."
"Let him up," said the official; and to Mpingu: "This is your last chance. If you go down again, your tongue comes out and your eyes, too."
"I will talk," said Mpingu. "I did but interpret, that is all. I had nothing to do with helping him to escape or hiding him."
"If you tell us the truth, you will not be punished," said the Roman. "Where is the white barbarian?"
"He is hiding in the home of Maximus Praeclarus," said Mpingu.
"What has your master to do with this?" commanded the Roman.
"Dion Splendidus has nothing to do with it," replied Mpingu. "Maximus Praeclarus planned it."