‘The case is clear,’ said Pudens. ‘I will be witness;’ and he offered his ears for the officer to touch.[33] ‘Meanwhile you can set this youth free.’
The officer touched his ear with the recognised formula. ‘Remember, you will be my witness in this case.’
The student was arrested, but his father got him off by a large secret bribe to the police and to the silversmiths. The crowd dispersed, and Pudens and Titus, without waiting to watch the issue of the affair, turned their steps towards the Vicus Apollinis, which led to the Palace.
Soon afterwards they heard footsteps behind them, and, turning round, saw the youth whom they had rescued.
‘What more do you want?’ said Pudens, in answer to his eager, appealing look. ‘I have got you out of your trouble; is not that enough?’
‘I am weak, and hungry, and a stranger,’ said the youth, humbly.
‘He wants money,’ whispered Titus, and drawing a denarius from the breast of his toga, he put it into his hand.
But, kneeling down, the stranger seized the hem of the scarlet sagum which Pudens happened to be wearing, and kissing it, exclaimed, ‘Oh, sir, take me into your household! I will do anything!’
‘Who are you?’
‘My name is Onesimus.’