At last three men were left in attendance on the Emperor: Clodianus, Parthenius, the high-chamberlain, and Norbanus, the general of the guard. This last was perhaps the only person, whom Domitian had received with politeness--indeed, so far as he was concerned, with marked attention. The tyrant, who, to every one else was cold and contemptuous, turned from time to time to the noble soldier with an engaging smile to assure him, half stammering, of his unaltered favor. The ruler of the world had altogether lost his command of himself. “And you have found no trace, formed no guess?” he asked with a frightened glance in the general’s face. “Your efforts too, Clodianus, have been unsuccessful?” “Alas, my lord and god! I have offered great rewards, I have bribed dozens of idlers--all in vain; and to crown our ill-luck, when the slaves burnt the pile intended for the astrologer’s body, they flung in, not merely the remains of Ascletario, but the dead hounds as well. Thus we lost the last clue to the discovery.” “Let them be crucified! idiotic fools!” shrieked Caesar, trembling in every limb. “They richly deserve it,” said Clodianus. “Still, I cannot comprehend the matter. The strange man, who suddenly appeared with the dogs, has suddenly vanished, as if the earth had swallowed him; and from among a knot of old women I heard a voice exclaim: ‘It is Ahasuerus!’” “Ahasuerus!” shouted the Emperor, starting up. “Then have Ahasuerus advertised for.” “Impossible,” replied Clodianus. “Ahasuerus is a boguey creature of the Nazarenes, a restless spirit that wanders over lands and seas. I only mentioned the fact, to show you the impression produced by the apparition. There was something supernatural and appalling in his appearance....” Domitian was more agitated every moment; he paced the room excitedly. “Are all those infamous inscriptions torn down and wiped out?” he suddenly asked, addressing Parthenius. "Can you doubt it?... Why, the very morning dew, disgusted at the crime, did its best to wash them away."[12] “Why did you not tell me of the inscription at the baths of Titus?” “My lord, you knew of it....” “From Latinus, who came to me at break of day.” “My lord, I thought....” “Silence. It was your duty to tell me the whole truth. Only by complete knowledge can an evil be met; a blind man falls into the pit.” “My lord, if you desire it....” said Parthenius, laying his hand on his heart. Clodianus also bowed in sign of utter devotion, and his eye was positively radiant with fidelity and reverence--only on his full underlip there was the faintest possible twitch of self-satisfied irony. Again Domitian took to pacing the room, which was lined with mirrors. On every side he could see his pale, bloated face, here and there distorted and lengthened by some imperfection in the mirror. He shuddered.