"Hist," said the Greek, cautiously. "Not so boisterous. Better stay here in the dark. I can't tell who of your men may hear us."
"As you say," said Dumnorix, setting down the light at a little distance and coming closer.
"You remember that little affair of last year," said Pratinas, continuing;—"how you helped me get rid of a witness in a very troublesome law case?"
"Ha! ha!" chuckled the giant, "I wish I had the sesterces I won then, in my coffer now."
"Well," replied Pratinas, "I don't need to tell you what I and my noble friend here—Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus—have come for. A little more business along the same line. Are you our man?"
"I should say so," answered Dumnorix, with a grin worthy of a baboon. "Only make it worth my while."
"Now," said Pratinas, sinking his voice still lower, "this affair of ours will pay you well; but it is more delicate than the other. A blunder will spoil it all. You must do your best; and we will do the fair thing by you."
"Go on," said the Gaul, folding his huge paws on his breast.
"Have you ever been in Præneste?" questioned Pratinas.
"I matched two mirmillones[62] of mine there against two threces[63] of another lanista, and my dogs won the prize; but I can't say that I am acquainted with the place," answered the other.