Caracalla vehement, and unused to the curb, was about to reply, when the door opened and a dumb slave slowly entered. He crossed his hands, and pointed to the door.
"A messenger," said they all.
"The gods are at last propitious," said Caracalla. "Let him approach."
Soon one was led in by the sentinel, blindfolded, and the latter immediately withdrew.
"The sign," cried the secretary.
The stranger, without hesitation, presented a ring.
"'Tis the same," said Caracalla. He touched a concealed spring in the signet, and from underneath the gem drew forth a little paper with a scrap of writing in cypher. It was held before the lamp, and the intelligence it contained rendered their plot complete. Ere break of day the deed would be accomplished. The morning would see Caracalla proclaimed, and Severus deposed.
"Have ye any token to my master?" inquired the messenger.
"Take back this writing," said Virius Lupus. "Thou wilt find him not far from the city. We wait his coming."
"This leaden-heeled Mercury should have a largess," said the chief, "but in this den we have not wherewithal to give him. Hold! here is a good recompence, methinks," continued he, taking the crystal goblet from a recess. "Take this to thy mistress, and tell her to buy it from thee. We will see her anon. That charmed cup hath foiled me once, but I will foil thee now, and the powers thou servest. Thou shall not again cross my path!"