"Do you know that, last night, one of my best leaders, Perseus the archon and the brother of Johannes here, left the city and has not been seen since?"
"I am sorry for it. But you know that it is forbidden to leave the walls without permission."
"But I have reason to believe," interposed Johannes, "that you very well know what has become of my brother; that his blood is on your hands."
"And by the slumber of Justinian," cried Belisarius angrily, "you shall answer for it! You shall no longer tyrannise over the Emperor's army and the Emperor's generals. The hour of reckoning has come. The barbarians are almost defeated, and we shall see if, when your head falls, the Capitol will still stand!"
"Do matters stand thus?" thought Cethegus. "Then take care, Belisarius!" But he remained silent.
"Speak!" cried Johannes; "where did you kill my brother?"
But before Cethegus could reply, Artasines, one of Belisarius's body-guards, entered the room.
"Sir," he said, "outside are six Gothic warriors. They have brought the corpse of Perseus the archon. King Witichis sends you word that Perseus fell last night without the walls, struck by Earl Teja's axe. He sends the body, that you may inter it with all honour."
"Heaven itself," said Cethegus, as he left the room with haughty steps, "gives the lie to your malice!"
But slowly and reflectively he passed the Quirinal and went across the Forum of Trajan to his dwelling.