“The last secured has been the widow Quincta. The pontiff and the _flamen_ Augustalis and the priestess of Nemausus swear that she shall be put on the rack and tortured till she reveals where her daughter is concealed, and that amiable drone, the acting magistrate, has given consent. Dost thou know where the damsel Perpetua is concealed?” “Indeed, Marcianus, I know not. But tell me: hast thou not been inquired for? I have been told how that some have accused thee.” “Me! Who said that?” Marcianus started, and his face worked. “Bah! they dare not touch me. I belong to the Falerii; we have had magistrates in our family, and one clothed with the pro‐consulship. They will not venture to lay hands on me.” “But what if they know, and it is known through the town, that it was thou who didst mutilate the statue of the founder?” “They do not know it.” “Nay, thou deceivest thyself. It is known. Some of those who were at the Agape have spoken.” “It was thou—dog that thou art!” “Nay, it was not I.” Marcianus rose and strode up and down the room, biting his nails. Then, contemptuously, he said: “My family will stand between me and mob or magistrate. I fear not. But get thee gone. Thou compromisest me by thy presence, thou runagate and jail‐breaker.” “I came here but to notify my escape and to ask counsel of thee.” “Get thee gone. Fly out of Nemausus, or thy chattering tongue will be set going and reveal everything that ought to be kept secret.” Then taking a turn he added to himself, “I belong to the Falerii.” Baudillas left; and, as he went from the door, Pedo whispered in his ear: “Let us escape to Ad Fines. We can do so in this detestable weather. I have an old friend there, named Blanda. In my youth I loved—ah! welladay! that was long ago—and we were the chattels of different masters, so it came to naught. She is still a slave, but she may be able to assist us. I can be sure of that; for the remembrance of our old affection, she will do what lies in her power to secrete us.” He suddenly checked himself, plucked the deacon back, and drew him against the wall. An ædile, attended by a body of the city police, armed like soldiers, advanced and silently surrounded the house of Marcianus. Then the officer struck the door thrice, and called: “By the authority of Petronius Atacinus and Vibius Fuscianus, Quatuor‐viri juridicundo, and in the name of the Imperator Cæsar Augustus, Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, I arrest Cneius Falerius Marcianus, on the atrocious charge of sacrilege.” CHAPTER XX IN THE BASILICA The Quatuorvir Petronius Atacinus, who was on duty, occupied his chair in the stately Plotinian Basilica, or court of justice, that had been erected by Hadrian, in honor of the lady to whose ingenious and unscrupulous maneuvers he owed his elevation to the throne of the Cæsars. Of this magnificent structure nothing remains at present save some scraps of the frieze in the museum.