“Thou didst read a message from Gannon sewed upon it?” “Nay, O Sejanus,” calmly replied the unfortunate maid. “I say thou didst read it.” “I repeat I did not read it.” “Was Gyges with thee when thou didst have the tunic?” “Ay, my lord.” Sejanus called a soldier, who promptly appeared. “Search immediately for Gyges the charioteer! Arrest him!” “What have I said that makes thee arrest him?” asked Psyche, in a tone of fear. “Nothing.” “What have I done, O Sejanus, that I should be here? Where are my parents?” she plaintively pleaded. “Thy brother read a letter,” replied Sejanus. “He sewed into his tunic a message about that letter. Thy parents read the message. Thou didst hold the tunic in thy hands, thou sayest, and therefore thou also must have read the message.” “Nay, ’tis not true, O Sejanus. I saw no message.” “I do not believe thee. Thy brother lied to me. Thy parents lied to me. Now the sister lies to me.” “I lie not, O Sejanus.” “We sometimes press the thumbs until they are flat, in order to learn the truth. ’Twould be a pity to press thy pretty thumbs--” “Oh! Sejanus,” she cried in terror, “thou wilt not torture me?” “Ay. A soldier will do anything to learn the truth,” he cruelly replied. “But I tell thee the truth.” “And I believe thee not.” “Thou wilt not torture me!” she cried, now thoroughly alarmed. “Nay, nay, nay, O Sejanus! Where are my parents?” “Thou wilt never see them again.” “Never see them again!” screamed Psyche. “Are they dead too?” “Nay; calm thyself. They are in prison. Now tell me, didst thou read the message?” “I have already answered thee.” “Then prepare for torture.” “O Gyges, Gyges!” cried Psyche. “Would that thou wert here to help me!” “No one can help thee,” said the implacable tyrant. “But have I not suffered enough?” she said, breathing quickly and stamping nervously with her foot on the marble floor. “Do not press my thumbs! I have told thee the truth! I know nothing! Ah!” she screamed suddenly, as a new thought surged in her mind. “I understand. Gannon did not fall. He was killed, ay, killed!” “Come, O pretty maid; not so loud. Pray be calm.” “Ay, killed, for knowing what? My parents are in prison for the same cause--what? And I am to be tortured to confess--what?” “Time will show,” said Sejanus, grimly, as he noticed the hysterical condition of Psyche. He called a soldier and said: “Place this prisoner in a private cell. Go!” “May I not see my parents?” cried Psyche, beseechingly. “No,” he abruptly replied. As she left the office, moaning and crying, he said to himself, “A very fair maiden, and perchance--” A smile passed over his evil face as he thought of Psyche alone and in his power. Shortly after, the soldier who had been despatched for Gannon’s tunic returned and handed it to his master. After reading Gannon’s writing, Sejanus craftily said, “Art thou content with thy position?” “Ay, O noble lord,” replied the soldier.