Before the emperor the anger of Sejanus melted into mild servility. With customary composure he greeted Tiberius as if nothing whatever had happened. He locked the cell door, and as he walked towards his office he said to the emperor: “Truly am I tormented by that wench. She knows a secret, and even slight bodily punishment cannot unseal her lips. Verily I shall be compelled to resort to painful torture to learn the truth.” “Who is she?” “I crave thy pardon, O Tiberius, but I will answer thee in my office.” When they had entered the business room of Sejanus, both seated themselves at a cedar-wood table, covered with reports and letters. Sejanus was the first to speak. “Since the death of thy son, I have already told thee, the friends of Agrippina and Germanicus are jubilant; for the brothers Nero and Drusus are now regarded as thy successors. This woman with whom thou didst find me has bought poison. She is in the employ of Sosia.” “Sosia, the wife of Caius Silius and the friend of Agrippina?” asked the emperor, greatly surprised. “And thine enemy,” added Sejanus. “What has Sosia done?” Sejanus took up a tablet and read: “‘Sosia received Agrippina in her palace three times in four days. Sosia called at the Palatine to see Agrippina the same number of times on the same days.’ Their conversations at both places are recorded,” added Sejanus, laying down the tablet. “Germanicus was extolled. His death, they said, was due to poisoning by Cneius Piso, acting under thine orders. Sosia has openly made statements reviling thee.” “Agrippina is sowing her suspicions in the hearts of her friends. The harvest will be a large one,” said Tiberius, with a wicked smile. “Caius Silius, the husband of Sosia, is equally guilty,” continued Sejanus. “He was a commander, as thou knowest, under Germanicus. He has won many victories for his country. He boasts too much. Here is his conversation with Sabinus,” he said, pointing to a tablet. “Titius Sabinus, the great and wealthy senator, also talks against me?” gasped the emperor, alarmed. “O noble Tiberius, these men not only talk against thee, but they are working against thee.” “But what of the son of Sabinus? Is he loyal?” asked Tiberius. “He is ruining himself with dissipation. He frequents the taverns and consorts with dancing-girls,” replied Sejanus. “These men are too beloved by the people to be thrust aside,” Tiberius said, with a significant nod of his head. “But believe me, O noble Tiberius, in the city there is an undercurrent of discontent, set in motion by these friends of Agrippina, that, if not stemmed in time, will break forth into civil war. Already sides are being taken, and I can prove to thee that there are some who call themselves ‘partisans of Agrippina.’” “Art thou sure of the information from Agrippina’s house?”