"Thou hast given him the signet then?" said the centurion, sharply.
"Nay. For my mistress, as ill luck would have it, hearing of my journey, and she having had some knowledge of the soothsayer's art aforetime, bade me consult him ere my errand was ready with the goldsmith, and deliver a pressing request for the horoscope which had been long promised. What passed then, as thou knowest, is the cause of my calamity."
"But didst thou not search out the dwelling of this same Caius, and do thine errand?"
"I did. But in the straits which I endured, I was not careful to note the time. An hour past mid-day, I sought out his dwelling; but he was gone to the palace on urgent business with the empress, nor was it known when he might return."
"Sayest thou so, friend? I would like to look at this same potent talisman."
Cedric drew forth the ring. It was a beautiful onyx, on which, engraven with exquisite workmanship, was a head of the youthful Caracalla, encircled by a laurel wreath, showing marks of the most consummate skill.
"Was thine errand told to the soothsayer?" was the next inquiry.
"Verily nay," said the messenger; "there was little space for parley ere I was thrust forth."
"He saw not the signet, then?"
"Of a truth it has not been shown, save to the guards for my passport."