that, whatever had happened, he had not the key of the riddle and would be sure to say the wrong thing, so he wrapped himself in a dignified and significant silence, which each might interpret just as he pleased or as the case required. Quintus understood it to mean kindly sympathy and due considerateness, the Flamen took it for horror and disapproval, the tribunes and centurions attributed it to military severity and discipline. They took the shortest way to the high-priest’s residence--along the foot of the Capitoline and across the Forum. The people crowded round them from all sides, for the rumor of Quintus' arrest had long since spread into the remotest quarters of the city. Now, every one wanted to see the illustrious father, who had been to fetch his son out of the depths of the Tullianum. The little procession could hardly get along. Even the lictor, who marched before the high-priest and the soldiers of the guard were powerless. A hundred voices at once shouted their comments on the unwonted sight. “He plotted against the Caesar’s life,” said a rough voice in the background. “Nonsense--he is one of Caesar’s friends.” “He was in the quarry with the Nazarenes.” “He kissed the cross.” “He is condemned to death.” “It was his own father that made the law.” “But see; it is his father, who is setting him at liberty.” “That is just the way of the world.” “True enough. Laws are only made for slaves and beggars! They take things easier at home.” The last words were spoken under the very nose of the high-priest, so that he could not help hearing them. An angry glow flushed his face, and with a scornful curl of his lip he looked round. He seemed as though he would speak, but he checked himself in time. A smile of supreme contempt parted his haughty lips; then he said aloud to Norbanus: “You are too considerate, and the people too bold. Your men should use their arms.” The general looked at him in astonishment. “To be sure,” Titus Claudius added more mildly, “we might have foreseen this crowd. Such a sight is ambrosia to the mob.” They were nearly ten minutes reaching the Flamen’s house. Norbanus and one of the officers went in with them to the rooms adjoining the peristyle; the rest remained till farther orders in a room opening out of the atrium.