"Yes, I grant you, they are of some use for that; and that is all they are good for," replied this ancient Agnostic.
"But the Christians are traitors to the State," continued the Prefect; "rank sedition-mongers. They are secretly sworn to serve another Lord than the Cæsars, and they are ceaselessly striving to undermine your Imperial Majesty's authority."
"You do well," continued the cruel Galerius, a fire of deadly hate burning in his eyes, "to exterminate that accursed vermin, wherever found. Burn, crucify, torture, as you will."
"And the estates of the rebels, they escheat to the temples of the insulted gods?" asked the priest, with hungry eyes.
"Nay, to the State, I think," laughed the Emperor. "Is it not so, good Naso?"
"Half to the State and half to the delator, or accuser," answered that worthy, learned in the law of pillage.
"Let not the wolves fall out about the prey," said the Emperor, with a sneer; "only make sure work."
"Be so good then, Your Majesty, as to affix your seal to these decrees of death. With such high officers as Adauctus and Aurelius my authority as Prefect is not sufficient."
"And the Empress Valeria; she, too, as traitor to your person and crown, is included in the decree," insinuated, in a wheedling tone, the crafty priest.
"Base hound," roared the Emperor, laying his hand upon his sword; "breathe but the name of the Empress again, and I will pluck thy vile tongue from thy throat."