At the word “freedman” Stephanus had turned as pale as a corpse. He closed his eyes and staggered. His lean fingers trembled and twitched, as if he were feeling for a dagger. Then, mastering his agitation with an almost superhuman effort, he said faintly: “I do not altogether understand what it is that you mean, so I will not trouble myself to answer ... you. Meanwhile you have only given the slaves some unnecessary extra labor.--To work, men!--refill the cauldron.” “Too late,” said Quintus. “Your victim has escaped you.” “He is dead!” cried the slaves. Stephanus muttered something unintelligible between his teeth; then he ordered that the body should be removed. “Antinous,” said he to one of the slaves, a remarkably beautiful young fellow: “I look to you to report all that has happened here, fully and exactly to the authorities. If Eurymachus is delivered up to me alive, I promise you a hundred thousand sesterces.--Here comes Lycoris with the soldiers of the town-watch.[189] Speak to them; tell them all you know, and offer them gold; that will inspire the most dilatory.” “I hear and obey, my lord.” “I am tired and shall withdraw. In ten minutes I shall expect to see you.” “I shall be with you in five.” The file of men at arms--a division of a military body, who performed the duties of a town-watch, combining the functions of our modern firemen and police--came up just at the right moment to verify the death of the unknown victim, to take the statements of the assistants and spend an hour very comfortably in the atrium. The guests of the fair Lycoris had soon recovered from the unpleasant impression produced by the untoward incident. Amusements and sports of every kind effaced the last traces of its remembrance, and for a long time after the tones of luxurious music sounded through the starry night. FOOTNOTES: [178] VELARIUM. The cloth hung across the amphitheatre, to screen it from the sun. [179] THE BATHS OF TITUS were located near the Cyprius Street, on the site of Nero’s _domus aurea_, which had been destroyed after its builder’s death. [180] CURTAIN. The drop-scene (as we should call it) raised between the acts of a play. The curtain, properly so-called, was the _aulaeum_. These were not drawn up, as in modern theatres, but lowered. [181] A TALL CROSS. Crucifixion was the common punishment of great crimes. [182] TRIMETER. A verse of three double feet--the usual metre in dramatic verse.