“Who was it?”
“A youth named Pancratius, whose knife I found under where the edict had been cut away.”
“And why have you not seized him and brought him to justice?”
“Twice this day he has been almost within my grasp, for I have heard his voice; but he has escaped me.”
“Then let him not escape a third time, or you may have to take his place. But how do you know him, or his knife?”
“He was my school-fellow at the school of Cassianus, who turned out to be a Christian.”
“A Christian presume to teach my subjects, to make them enemies of their country, disloyal to their sovereigns, and contemners of the gods! I suppose it was he who taught that young viper Pancratius to pull down our imperial edict. Do you know where he is?”
“Yes, sire; Torquatus, who has abandoned the Christian superstition, has told me.”
“And pray who is this Torquatus?”
“He is one who has been staying some time with Chromatius and a party of Christians in the country.”