"That least of all," said Cethegus coolly, "Prove your accusation."
"I saw Albinus, with my own eyes, entering thy garden fourteen days ago," continued Teja, turning to the assembly. "He came from the Via Sacra, enveloped in a mantle, a wide-brimmed hat upon his head. I had seen him on two former occasions; this time I recognised him. As I went towards him, he disappeared through a door, which closed behind him."
"Since when does my colleague, the brave Commandant of Rome, play the nightly spy?"
"Since he had a Cethegus at his side," retorted Teja. "But as the fugitive escaped, this roll fell from his mantle. It contains the names of distinguished Romans, and opposite to each name notices in an unknown cipher. Here is the roll."
He gave it to the King, who read:
"The names are Silverius, Cethegus, Licinius, Scævola, Calpurnius, Pomponius. Canst thou swear, Teja, that the disguised man was Albinus?"
"I will swear it."
"Prefect of Rome, Earl Teja is a free, unblemished, honourable man. Can you deny it?"
"I deny it. He is not unblemished. His parents lived in an illegal, incestuous marriage; they were sister's children. The Church has cursed their connection and its fruit. He is a bastard, and can not bear witness against a noble Roman of senatorial rank."
A murmur of anger burst from all the Goths present. Teja's pale face became still paler. He grasped his sword.