“Ay, O great Tiberius; her maid faithfully reports every two days. The servant who spied for us before was caught. Agrippina had him beaten and cast into the streets. The maid is his sister. We have good reason to trust her reports.” “What are thy suggestions against these great men?” asked the emperor. “Charge them with treason.” “And Sosia?” “Accuse her also.” “Are there others who dare to talk openly against me?” “Ay; through my spies I have learned of Calpurnius Piso.” “One of that illustrious and noble family is also mine enemy!” exclaimed Tiberius. “Ay; he has openly said he would abandon Rome so as to be free from the despot and his informers.” “I have always hated Piso. Are there any more traitors?” bitterly asked the emperor. “Here is a list of them,” said Sejanus, handing a scroll to his master. “Serenus is the most important after Piso. Thinkest thou not, O Tiberius, that our attack against Sosius and Sabinus will quiet the others?” “The others shall be marked men,” was the significant reply of the emperor. “If thou hadst the time to read these reports, thou wouldst fear this seditious movement. These men quickly seek notoriety amongst the people by slyly whispering words of sympathy for Agrippina and her children.” “Sympathy for the she-wolf and her cubs,” cried the emperor, “while the emperor receives condemnation? For what? Is not the country prosperous? Are not the poor fed? What does Agrippina wish? Of a truth, O vigilant Sejanus, is sedition spreading in the city?” “Ay, more! I have learned that Agrippina is encouraging her sons to form alliances with the legions.” “By Hercules! And through whom?” thundered Tiberius. “Sabinus.” “By the infernal deities!” roared Tiberius, as he clutched the arms of his curule chair. “She is leaguing with the friends of Germanicus? Can she not wait for my death? What greater honor could she wish than my bestowing the hand of my granddaughter Julia on her son Nero?” “She has told Piso that she fears thou wilt poison her.” Tiberius pounded his hand on the table as he said in his drawling tone: “Is that why she refuses to eat when she attends my dinners? Ah! she fears me!” “Nay, she fears no one,” said Sejanus, recalling his conversation with her. “She distrusts thee and thy friends.” “She insults me with her imperiousness. Her cousin, Claudia Pulchra, is also insolent.” “Cannot the pride of Agrippina be broken by an attack on her dearest relation, Claudia?” “Claudia is a model of purity,” said Tiberius. “Models of purity can be easily remodelled,” sneered Sejanus. “What wouldst thou do?” asked the emperor. “No one would take a case against her.” “Domitius Afer, an orator, comes highly recommended,” suggested Sejanus. “He is young and has his honors to gain. Give him the case. Bribed accusers can easily be obtained. Teach the people, O Tiberius, teach Agrippina the respect that is due thee.” “Ay, that will I do. But what shall Claudia’s crime be?”