Gyges shook his head sadly. “She may wait long,” he said. “This night, my boy, I start for Tusculum.”
“Am I to go with thee?” was Aldo’s eager question.
“Nay, my lad. Thou wilt remain here with the horses.”
Travelling by night and concealing himself by day, Gyges safely arrived at Tusculum. On the evening of the Kalends he knocked at the door of the house of Junius.
A slave opened the door.
“Thy lord Junius is within?” Gyges inquired.
“Nay,” was the reply. “What wouldst thou here?”
“I seek Macro, the sub-prefect of the Praetorians.”
“Macro now is master here. Junius is dead. What is thy name?”
“’Tis needless to give my name. I pray thee tell him that a horseman wishes to see him.”