"Stop," said Cethegus quietly; "do not be in such a hurry. You will tell him nothing." "What?" asked Syphax in surprise. "If he be not warned, he will be lost!" "One must not always interfere with the commander's guardian angel. To-morrow Belisarius may prove his good fortune." "Aye, aye," said Syphax, with a cunning smile, "is such your pleasure? Then I would rather be Syphax the slave than Belisarius the magister militum. Poor widowed Antonina!" Cethegus was just about to stretch himself upon his couch for a short rest, when Fidus, the ostiarius, announced: "Kallistratos, of Corinth!" "Always welcome!" The young Greek with the gentle countenance entered. A flush of shame or pleasure coloured his cheeks; it was evident that some special cause had led him to the Prefect. "What of beauty do you bring besides yourself?" asked Cethegus in the Grecian tongue. The Greek looked up with sparkling eyes. "A heart full of admiration for you, and the wish to prove it to you. I beg for permission to fight for you and Rome, like the two Licinii and Piso." "My Kallistratos! What have you, our peaceful guest, the most amiable of Greeks, to do with our bloody business with the Goths? Leave such hard work alone, and cherish your bright inheritance--beauty!" "I know well that the days of Salamis have become a myth, and that you iron Romans have never believed in our strength. That is hard; but yet it is easier to bear, because it is you who defend our world of art and noble customs against the dull barbarians; you--that is, Rome, and to me Cethegus is Rome. As such, I understand this struggle, and, understanding it thus, you see that it also concerns the Hellenes." The Prefect smiled with pleasure. "Well, if to you Cethegus is Rome, then Rome gladly accepts the help of the Hellenes. Henceforward you are a tribune of the Milites Romani, like Licinius." "My deeds shall thank you. But I must confess one thing more; for I know that you do not love to be surprised. I have often seen how dear to you is the Mausoleum of Hadrian, with its treasure of statues. Lately I counted these marble gods, and found that there were two hundred and ninety-eight. I have made the third hundred complete by placing amongst them my two Letoides, Apollo and Artemis, which you praised so highly. They are a votive offering to you and Rome." "Dear, extravagant youth!" said Cethegus. "What have you done?" "That which is right and beautiful," answered Kallistratos simply. "But reflect; the Mausoleum is now a fortress. If the Goths storm----" "The Letoides stand upon the second and inner wall; and how can I fear that the barbarians will ever again conquer the favourite place of Cethegus? Where can the beauteous gods be more secure than in your citadel? Your fortress is their best, because safest, temple. My offering shall be at the same time a happy omen."