"Give the watch-word!" cried a voice from within.
"Cæsar and Cethegus!" answered the war-tribune. Then the wings of the door sprang open; a long lane formed by Roman legionaries and Isaurian mercenaries became visible, the last clad in iron up to their very eyes, and armed with double-bladed battle-axes.
Lucius Licinius stood at the head of the Romans with drawn sword; Sandil, the Isaurian chief, at the head of his countrymen.
For one moment the Byzantines hesitated, overpowered by the impression of this display of granite and iron.
Suddenly the faintly-illumined space became bright with light, and, accompanied by torch-bearers and flute-players, without armour, a wreath upon his brow, such as was generally worn by the giver of a feast, and dressed in a magnificent indoor garment of purple silk, appeared Cethegus.
He came forward smiling, and said:
"Welcome! Let flutes and trumpets loudly proclaim that the happiest hour of my life has arrived--Belisarius is my guest in the Capitol!"
And, amid a tremendous flourish of trumpets, he led his silent guests into the fortress.
CHAPTER XIII.
During these occurrences among the Romans and Byzantines, decisive events were in preparation on the part of the Goths.