“Will you denounce them?” asked the slave nervously.
“On the contrary. They are menaced. I seek to save them.”
“Oh! if that be all, I am your man. They are in the mansion of Baudillas, yonder—that is—but mum, I say! I must not speak. They kicked me out, but I am not ungenerous. I will denounce nobody. But if you want to save the ladies, I will help you with alacrity. They charged me with being drunk—not the ladies—the bishop did that—more shame to him. I but rinsed out my mouth with the Ambrussian. Every drop clear as amber. Ah, sir! in your cellar have you——”
A rush of people up the street shouting, “The will of the god! the will of the god! It is being proclaimed in the forum.”
They swept round Callipodius and the slave, spinning them, as leaves are spun in a corner by an eddy of wind, then swept forward in the direction of the great square.
“Come aside with me, fellow,” said Callipodius, darting after the slave who was endeavoring to slink away. “What is your name? I know only your face marked by a scar.”
“Tarsius, at your service, sir!”
“Good Tarsius, here is money, and I undertake to furnish you with a bottle of my best old Ambrussian for your private tipple, or to make merry therewith with your friends. Be assured, no harm is meant. The priests of Nemausus seek to recover possession of the lady Perpetua, and it is my aim to smuggle her away to a place of security. Do thou watch the door, and I will run and provide litters and porters. Do thou assure the ladies that the litters are sent to convey them in safety to where they will not be looked for; say thy master’s house. I will answer for the rest. Hast thou access to them?”
“Aye! I know the pass-word. And though I have been expelled, yet in the confusion and alarm I may be suffered again to enter.”
“Very excellent. Thou shalt have thy flask and an ample reward. Say that the litters are sent by thy master, Largus Litomarus.”