‘You will find it to your taste, Centurion,’ said Tiberius, speaking with a polished affability which proved irresistible to his astonished prisoner. ‘I propose that you busy yourself in establishing the identity of your betrothed with the granddaughter of Fabricius of the Janiculum. The fate of your endeavours will determine your own.’ Dumfounded with excess of wonder and joy, Martialis was speechless for a few moments. It seemed too good to be true, and he gazed in Caesar’s face with a lurking suspicion that, perhaps, he was, after all, the object of a bitter joke. ‘Do you accept?’ asked Tiberius, smiling. ‘Ah, if I were sure you do not jest.’ ‘Should you fail in proving your point you will eventually find it no jest.’ ‘It shall not be for the want of a trial—but how am I to commence, and when?’ ‘Proceed on your task in the manner you think best; you shall be set at liberty to‐night. Since you are so swift and faithful a courier, I will also entrust something of my own to your care. It will, therefore, be necessary for you to proceed to Rome direct. I do not choose it to be known that I have broken the law, which demands that you should be punished—it would be impolitic. It is, therefore, necessary that you depart in absolute secrecy. That will be arranged for you. At nightfall you will be removed to the villa Neptune, whither I am about to start within an hour. I will, again, see you there, and, till then, breathe not a word, or your hope will be cut off at once—nay, you must even continue to appear the downcast prisoner whose hours are numbered.’ ‘I will attend to the very letter of your instructions—Caesar will never be better served,’ replied the Pretorian; ‘I only wish you gave me a better opportunity to prove my gratitude.’ ‘You are hasty—you have nothing but the tale of an idle vagabond to rely on. If I were in your place, I should have preferred the chance of facing a cohort single‐handed. You know the terms—consider them in the interval.’ So saying Tiberius left the cell, and Martialis flung himself on the bed to think on what had passed.