He sprang forward, but ran against some hard body and staggered back.
"What is that!" asked Lucius Licinius behind him. "A second wall?"
"No," said a quiet voice, "but a Gothic shield!"
"That is King Witichis!" said the Prefect furiously, and with bitter hatred he looked at the dark figure before him.
He had counted upon a surprise. His hope was frustrated.
"If I but had him," he said to himself, "he should never hinder me again!"
Looking behind, he now saw many torch-lights and heard the flourish of trumpets. Belisarius was leading his troops to storm the walls.
Procopius reached the Prefect.
"Well, why do you stop? Do new walls keep you back?"
"Yes, living walls. There they stand," and the Prefect pointed forward with his sword.