The Emperor nodded for him to proceed. ‘Shortly before the Prefect left Rome for Capreae, he told me that a certain lady wished to visit this island, and, in order that she might come without arousing any notice, I was to send her word when I was to start, that she might accompany me. She and a waiting slave, therefore, took passage with us, and, as I was instructed to do exactly as she desired, I took her, at her request; to the most secluded and out‐of‐the‐ way lodging I could think of, where she might pass the time without the fear of her presence becoming generally known.’ ‘Is she young or old?’ asked Tiberius, raising his eyebrows in the faintest degree. ‘Young, most decidedly.’ ‘Beautiful or hideous, good Tigellinus?’ ‘One of the most beautiful in Rome.’ Caesar’s pallid lips, for the first time, curved into a satirical smile. ‘You have made a mistake,’ he said; ‘the Prefect’s betrothed bride, the Lady Livia, would have been more grateful for your information than I am!’ ‘I do beseech you, Caesar, remember, that solely in my zeal and duty to you I have revealed what I swore to keep entirely secret,’ uttered Tigellinus, perturbed in spirit by the Emperor’s answer. ‘The worshipful Sejanus may discover and visit his vengeance upon me!’ ‘Be easy,’ said Tiberius, ‘as long as anything proves of use to me I suffer nothing to harm it. Who is this woman?’ ‘Plautia, the sister of Apicius.’ ‘Apicius the spendthrift fool of the Palatine who poisoned himself at supper?’ ‘The same—all Rome talked of it.’ ‘And this Plautia?—I know her not.’ ‘She dwells nigh the Forum of Caesar—alone.’ ‘Has she anything to recommend her but her beauty?’ ‘Her suppers are celebrated among a certain set.’ ‘Of which the Prefect makes one?’ ‘They have been most intimate for some time.’ ‘Who else of any note?’ ‘The Prefect’s friend, Domitius Afer; one called Martialis is infatuated with the love of her, follows her like a dog, and report says she treats him like one.’ ‘She is fonder of the Prefect, and, now that she has followed after him, this Martialis will forthwith hang himself, as a dog in despair should. The Prefect has a centurion whom I know by that name. Without doubt it is the same luckless dog.’ ‘No, the centurion is a younger brother.’ ‘You are invaluable, Tigellinus,’ said Tiberius, nodding his head approvingly. ‘I should deem myself clever with only half of your industry and power of memory. Do you happen to know if this other Martialis, the officer of the Prefect, is also accounted one of the set blessed with the cookery of this lady’s kitchen?’ ‘No, I should say not. He is seldom seen, even with his brother, I am told. He and the guard were waiting for me to‐night, when I rowed ashore at dusk—bears himself somewhat proudly.’