“Nothing; he was—”
Sejanus impatiently interrupted him. “Having read important letters, he has told thee nothing?”
“Of a truth, he told us nothing, O Sejanus.”
“I believe thee not,” said Sejanus. He turned to Hera and asked her the same questions, and received the same replies that Alcmaeon had given. Wishing to terrify them into a declaration, he continued: “Ye both have lied. Fairly have ye been treated. One more chance will I give ye. What knowest thou, O Alcmaeon?”
“Nothing,” replied Alcmaeon, emphatically.
“And thou, woman?”
“Nothing,” timidly replied the stricken mother.
“If you insist on lying, so be it. We sometimes torture in the camp when we wish to know the truth,” thundered Sejanus.
“Have we not suffered enough, O Sejanus?” cried Alcmaeon.
But Hera, becoming hysterical at this announcement of Sejanus, revealed what they had read on Gannon’s tunic before Alcmaeon could prevent her.