With these words the Prefect received his visitor.
"It is on her account, Cethegus, that I come," said Anicius gravely. "You are the oldest friend of my father and of our house. You hid Severinus and me from our enemies, and assisted us to escape at your own risk. You are the only man in Byzantium to whom I can appeal in a mysterious affair. A few days ago I received this incomprehensible letter, 'To the son of my patron; Corbulo the freedman----"
"Corbulo? I know that name!"
"He was the freedman of my father, with whom my mother and sister took refuge, and who----"
"Fell before Rome with your brother!"
"Yes. But he only died after being carried into the Gothic encampment, for he was taken prisoner, together with my dying brother, in the village ad aras Bacchi. So I am told by one of Belisarius's mercenaries called Sutas, who was taken prisoner at the same time, And who has now brought me the letter which Corbulo could not finish. Read it for yourself."
Cethegus took the small wax tablet with its scarcely legible writing and read:
"'The legacy of your dying brother, and his last words were: Anicius must revenge our mother, our sister, and myself. It was the same enemy of our house, the same demon who----'"
"The letter ends here," said Cethegus.
"Yes. Corbulo lost his senses and never again became conscious, the mercenary said."