"I speak the truth," replied Metellus. "He came shortly after you departed from Castrum Mare, and being a scholar well versed in the history of ancient and modern Rome he won the favor of Validus Augustus, but he brought ruin upon himself and upon Mallius Lepus and upon Septimus Favonius by winning the love of Favonia and with it the jealous hatred of Fulvus Fupus." "What is his name?" asked Cassius Hasta. "He calls himself Erich von Harben," replied Metellus. "Erich von Harben," repeated Tarzan. "I know him. Where is he now? Is he safe?" Caecilius Metellus turned his eyes in the direction of the ape-man. "How do you know Erich von Harben, Sanguinarian?" he demanded. "Perhaps then the story that Fulvus Fupus told Validus Augustus is true--that this Erich von Harben is in reality a spy from Castra Sanguinarius." "No," said Maximus Praeclarus. "Do not excite yourself. This Erich von Harben has never been in Castra Sanguinarius, and my friend here is not himself a Sanguinarian. He is a white barbarian from the outer world, and if his story be true, and I have no reason to doubt it, he came here in search of this Erich von Harben." "You may believe this story, Metellus," said Cassius Hasta. "These both are honorable men and since we have been in prison together we have become good friends. What they tell you is the truth." "Tell me something of von Harben," insisted Tarzan. "Where is he now and is he in danger from the machinations of this Fulvus Fupus?" "He is in prison with Mallius Lepus in Castrum Mare," replied Metellus, "and if he survives the games, which he will not, Fupus will find some other means to destroy him." "When are the games held?" asked Tarzan. "They start upon the ides of August," replied Cassius Hasta. "And it is now about the nones of August," said Tarzan. "Tomorrow," corrected Praeclarus. "We shall know it then," said Cassius Hasta, "for that is the date set for the triumph of Sublatus." "I am told that the games last about a week," said Tarzan. "How far is it to Castrum Mare?" "Perhaps an eight hours' march for fresh troops," said Caecilius Metellus; "but why do you ask? Are you planning on making a trip to Castrum Mare?" Tarzan noted the other's smile and the ironic tone of his voice. "I am going to Castrum Mare," he said. "Perhaps you will take us with you," laughed Metellus. "Are you a friend of von Harben?" asked Tarzan. "I am a friend of his friends and an enemy of his enemies, but I do not know him well enough to say that he is my friend." "But you have no love for Validus Augustus, the Emperor?" asked Tarzan. "No," replied the other. "And I take it that Cassius Hasta has no reason to love his uncle, either?" continued Tarzan. "You are right," said Hasta. "Perhaps I shall take you both, then," said Tarzan. The two men laughed. "We shall be ready to go with you when you are ready to take us," said Cassius Hasta.