He hastened to a small gap in the wall, which afforded an outlook into the main street. It was Teja. His long black locks waved about his bare head; in his left hand he carried a firebrand; in his right the dreaded battle-axe. He was covered with blood.
"Cethegus!" he shouted at every stroke of his axe. "Cornelius Cethegus Cæsarius, where art thou? I sought thee in the Capitol, Prefect of Rome! Where art thou? Must I seek thee upon thy hearth?"
Cethegus, listening, heard hasty steps behind him.
Syphax had reached the court, and had followed his master through the open door. He now caught sight of him.
"O master, fly! I will protect thy threshold with my body."
And he hastened past Cethegus, through a suite of apartments to the front door.
Cethegus turned to the right. He could hardly keep himself upright. He managed to reach the "Hall of Jupiter." Here he sank to the ground. But the next moment he again sprang to his feet, for a fearful noise was heard from the front door.
At last it was broken in.
With a thundering crash it fell inwards, and Teja entered the dwelling of his enemy.
Upon the threshold, with a leap like that of a panther, the Moor sprang upon him, grasping his throat and raising a dagger in his hand.