It was Pescennius Niger himself!
As he was later proclaimed Emperor and narrowly missed overcoming his competitors and emerging master of the world, the mere encounter has a certain interest. Its details, I think, even more.
Up to us he strode.
"What's all this?" he demanded in his big, authoritative voice. Agathemer and I stood up and saluted.
I expected Agathemer, who knew the value of speaking first, to anticipate
Donnotaurus, but he let Donnotaurus give his version of the affair.
"I'm competent to decide this," said Pescennius, "and I shall."
And he eyed us, asking: "What have you two to say?"
"In the first place," said Agathemer, "I ask you to examine our papers."
He took from the seat of his chair, where he had placed it as he stood up, our despatch bag, opened it, and displayed its contents; the package of despatches, our credentials, and the diploma entitling us to change of horses, with the endorsement of each change-master from Centumcellae onwards.
Pescennius examined these meditatively.