"But," added Syphax, "a great crowd of people is approaching in the rear; I will see what it is and bring you word."
"I know you, Tullus Faber," said the Prefect, turning to the messenger, when Syphax had left him; "you were ever faithful to Rome and to me. What news do you bring?"
"O Prefect!" cried the man, "we all thought you were dead, for you sent us no answer to eight several messages."
"I have not received even one!"
"Then you do not know what has happened in Rome? Pope Silverius has died in exile in Sicily. His successor is Pelagius, your enemy!"
"I know nothing. Speak!"
"Alas, you will neither be able to advise nor to help. Rome has----"
Just then Syphax returned, but before he could speak, he was followed into the tent by Narses, supported by Basiliskos.
"You have allowed yourself to be detained here so long by a thousand Gothic spears," said the commander-in-chief angrily, "that the healthy have escaped, and the sick have overtaken you. This King Teja can do more than break shields; he can weave veils with which to blind the Prefect's sharp sight. But I see through many veils, and also through this. Johannes, call your people back. Teja cannot have gone south, he must have gone northwards, for he, no doubt, has known long since that which concerns the Prefect most: Rome is wrested from the Goths."
Cethegus looked at him with sparkling eyes.