At once a thousand voices shouted, with loud huzzas, the names of the Queen-Regent and her son; and still more loudly the name of Cethegus. Then the people joyously dispersed, the imprisoned senators were released, and the Eternal City was won for the Goths.
The Prefect hurried to his house at the foot of the Capitol, locked himself up, and eagerly wrote his report to the Queen-Regent.
But he was soon disturbed by a violent knocking upon the iron door of the house. It was Lucius Licinius, the young Roman whom we have already met in the Catacombs. He struck with the hilt of his sword against the door till the house echoed.
He was followed by Scævola, the jurist, with portentously frowning brow, who had been amongst the imprisoned senators; and by Silverius, the priest, with doubtful mien.
The ostiarius looked prudently through a secret aperture in the wall, and, on recognising Licinius, admitted them.
Licinius rushed impetuously before the others through the well-known vestibule and the colonnade of the atrium to the study of Cethegus.
When Cethegus heard the hastily-approaching footsteps, he rose from the lectus upon which he was lying writing, and put his letters into a casket with a silver lid.
"Ah, the saviours of the fatherland!" he said, smiling, and advanced towards the door.
"Vile traitor!" shouted Licinius, his hand on his sword--anger impeded further speech; he half drew his sword from the sheath.
"Stop! first let him defend himself, if he can," panted Scævola, holding the young man's arm, as he hastened into the room.