Caleb examined the signatures and seals.
“It seems to be in order,” he said.
“It is in order, excellent Demetrius. Caleb can now appear in the Forum, if it pleases him, and lecture upon the fall of Jerusalem for the benefit of the vulgar. Well, here also is a letter from the divine—or rather the half divine—Domitian to yourself, Demetrius of Alexandria, also witnessed by myself and sealed. It promises to you that if you give evidence enabling him to arrest that miscreant who dared to bid against him—no, do not be alarmed, the lady was not knocked down to you—you shall be allowed to take possession of her or to buy her at a reasonable valuation, not to exceed fifteen sestertia. That is as much as she will fetch now in the open market. Are you satisfied with this document?”
Caleb read and scrutinised the letter.
“The signatures of Domitian and of yourself as witness seem much alike,” he remarked suspiciously.
“Somewhat,” replied Saturius, with an airy gesture. “In royal houses it is customary for chamberlains to imitate the handwriting of their imperial masters.”
“And their morals—no, they have none—their manners also,” commented Caleb.
“At the least,” went on Saturius, “you will acknowledge the seals——”
“Which might be borrowed. Well, I will take the risk, for if there is anything wrong about these papers I am sure that the prince Domitian would not like to see them exhibited in a court of law.”
“Good,” answered Saturius, with a relief which he could not altogether conceal. “And now for the culprit’s name.”