"The reason--that is, the pretext--he sent Kabades to inform you of it--is a menaced sally by the Goths. But oh! my lion, my eagle, my palm-tree, my wellspring--you are lost!"
And again the Numidian threw himself at his master's feet, covering them with tears and kisses.
"Tell me coherently," said Cethegus, "what you have heard."
And he leaned against the central support of his tent, crossing his arms behind his back, and raising his head. He did not seem to regard the troubled face of Syphax, but to gaze at vacancy.
"O sir--I shall not be able to tell it very clearly--but I succeeded in reaching my hiding-place among the sea-weed. It was scarcely necessary to dive--the weeds hid me sufficiently. The bathing-house is made of thin wood and has been newly covered with linen since the last storm. Narses came in his little boat with Alboin, Basiliskos, and three other men, disguised as Longobardians--but I recognised Scævola, Albinus----"
"They are not dangerous," interrupted Cethegus.
"And--Anicius!"
"Are you not mistaken?" asked Cethegus sharply.
"Sir, I knew his eyes and his voice! From their conversation--I did not understand every word--but the sense was clear----"
"Would that you could repeat their very words!"