“Alas, my lord and god! I have offered great rewards, I have bribed dozens of idlers—all in vain; and to crown our ill-luck, when the slaves burnt the pile intended for the astrologer’s body, they flung in, not merely the remains of Ascletario, but the dead hounds as well. Thus we lost the last clue to the discovery.”
“Let them be crucified! idiotic fools!” shrieked Caesar, trembling in every limb.
“They richly deserve it,” said Clodianus. “Still, I cannot comprehend the matter. The strange man, who suddenly appeared with the dogs, has suddenly vanished, as if the earth had swallowed him; and from among a knot of old women I heard a voice exclaim: ‘It is Ahasuerus!’”
“Ahasuerus!” shouted the Emperor, starting up. “Then have Ahasuerus advertised for.”
“Impossible,” replied Clodianus. “Ahasuerus is a boguey creature of the Nazarenes, a restless spirit that wanders over lands and seas. I only mentioned the fact, to show you the impression produced by the apparition. There was something supernatural and appalling in his appearance....”
Domitian was more agitated every moment; he paced the room excitedly.
“Are all those infamous inscriptions torn down and wiped out?” he suddenly asked, addressing Parthenius.
"Can you doubt it?... Why, the very morning dew, disgusted at the crime, did its best to wash them away."[12] “Why did you not tell me of the inscription at the baths of Titus?”
“My lord, you knew of it....”
“From Latinus, who came to me at break of day.”