"Be not again too hasty," replied the secretary; "there be none that will divulge our plans. Let every part be complete before we act. We cannot succeed should there be a disjointed purpose."
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."