"Well, call you it, when he has got off unscathed, and lives to avenge himself, and betray me?"
"But he swore he would do neither, Catiline," answered the simple-minded son of the forest.
"Swore!" replied the conspirator, with a fell sneer.
"Ay did he, master! swore by all that was sacred he would never betray any man, and you least of all; and I believe he will keep his promise."
"So do I," answered Catiline, bitterly, "I swear he shall; not for the lack of will, but of means to do otherwise! You are a stupid brute, Arminius; but useful in your way. I have no need of you to-day, so go and tell the butler to give you wine enough to make all three of [pg 151]you drunk again; but mind that ye are sound, clear-headed, and alert at day-break to-morrow."
"But will he give it to me at my bidding?"
"If not, send him to me for orders; now, begone."
"I ask for nothing better," replied the gladiator, and withdrew, without any word or gesture of salutation, in truth, despising the Roman in his heart as deeply for what he deemed his over-craftiness and over-civilization, as the more polished Greek did, for what on his side he considered the utter absence of both.
Scarce had the German left the room, before the Greek returned, smiling, and seemingly well satisfied with the result of his mission.
Catiline looked at him steadily, and nodding his head, asked him quietly—