"You may go," said Favonia to the slave. "I will let the young man out when he goes," and the slave, glad to be dismissed, content to be relieved of responsibility, moved silently away into the shadows of a corridor and thence into that uncharted limbo into which pass slaves and other lesser people when one has done with them. "Tell me," cried the girl, "what word do you bring? Where is he?" "He is here," whispered the youth, pointing to the anteroom. "Here?" exclaimed Favonia, incredulously. "Yes, here," said the youth. "Come," and he led her to the door and as she approached it he seized her suddenly and, clapping a hand over her mouth, dragged her into the dark anteroom beyond. Rough hands seized her quickly and she was gagged and bound. She heard them converse in low whispers. "We will separate here," said one. "Two of us will take her to the place we have selected. One of you will have to leave the note for Fulvus Fupus so the palace guards will find it. The rest of you scatter and go by different routes to the deserted house across from the Colosseum. Do you know the place?" "I know it well. Many is the night that I have slept there." "Very well," said the first speaker, who seemed to be the leader, "now be off. We have no time to waste." "Wait," said the son of Tabernarius, "the division of the ransom has not yet been decided. Without me you could have done nothing. I should have at least half." "Shut up or you will be lucky if you get anything," growled the leader. "A knife between his ribs would do him good," muttered another. "You will not give me what I asked?" demanded the youth. "Shut up," said the leader. "Come along now, men," and carrying Favonia, whom they wrapped in a soiled and ragged cloak, they left the home of Septimus Favonius unobserved; and as two men carried a heavy bundle through the dark shadows beneath the shadowy trees the son of Tabernarius started away in the opposite direction.... A youth in soiled and ragged tunic and rough sandals approached the gates of Caesar's palace. A legionary challenged him, holding him at a distance with the point of his pike. "What do you loitering by the palace of Caesar by night?" demanded the legionary. "I have a message for Caesar," replied the youth. The legionary guffawed. "Will you come in or shall I send Caesar out to you?" he demanded, ironically. "You may take the message to him yourself, soldier," replied the other, "and if you know what is good for you, you will not delay." The seriousness of the youth's voice finally compelled the attention of the legionary. "Well," he demanded, "out with it. What message have you for Caesar?" "Hasten to him and tell him that the daughter of Septimus Favonius has been abducted and that if he hastens he will find her in the deserted house that stands upon the corner opposite the chariot entrance to the Colosseum." "Who are you?" demanded the legionary.