The Nemesis: A Tale Of The Days Of Trajan.

terms of intimacy with him , for he had always sound advice to give in moments of trouble . "There is little use in controversy IIOAV , " he said in answer to their arguments , " one spy has been discovered , but who can tell how many more

• there may be . Cenna is a babbling fool , and not likely to keep a secret of such importance to himself . Our existence has been revealed to the Emperor , and doubtless the Suburra will be carefully watched in future . Ifc was a grave mistake to have gone there at all . "

"Why where else could Ave have gone to ?" " To some of our OAvn houses , taking the entertainments in turn : No chance then of a discovery . It must furthermore be remembered , that on the disappearance of Cenna , every engine will be put

in force to discover his fate , suspicion will at once point to us . " "Carefully executed we have little fears of ifc ever being known . Does any one knoAV what has come over Cossus ? he , too , has disappeared , some say foully , and Cassius is moving heaven and earth to discover him . "

" I hear , " said a young noble , " he had given important information against some conspirators , but the names have not transpired . It is suspected that they learned his discovery and so removed him . "

"Very possibly , " said Balbus , " and it only shows IIOAV careful we must be to avoid any chance of discovery . When Cenna is not to be found , ¦ the Suburra will be searched . " " Then our house will be discovered ?"

" Doubtless , what then ?" "They will find sufficient to condemn us all . " " Yes , if I had been of a like mind with yon , but everything is ready for their reception . Let

-fchem go just now , and they will discover nothing to betray us . " " How have you prevented it ?" " Last night after I learned the danger which threatened us I wenfc to the Suburra ; the slaves

destroyed everything before my eyes : there is not a vestige remaining of the good Avorship of the stout-bellied Bacchus . " His hearers dreAV a long breath of relief . " In fact , " continued Balbus , " it is a Avonder

that Ave have not already been discovered , there has not been that proper concealment exercised which should have been done : we have met too often , and I have been recognised by Cenna . If

any of the women have been , it will be a most serious matter . " This put an entirely new face upon the affair , and those who had eagerly spoken for a continuance of the revels UOAV held their peace . They saAV that

their place of meeting was no longer a safe one , and did not press their wishes further in that respect . Still they did nofc relish the idea of abandoning their vicious worship , and Murenna said .:

" Well , let the Suburra go , our own bouses , as Balbus says , most truly will be the more secure . Let us fix upon the order of our meetings , so that Bacchus may have no reason to complain of his worshippers . "

"There is plenty of time for that , Murenna , '' Balbus replied , " when Ave have secured our safety . Who knoAVS but every one of our names have been given up to Trajan ? Remember this , every proof of our existence is gone , but that will

not prevent the Emperor setting spies upon us , and if we are found constantly together in one or other's houses , a guard Avill some night surprise us in the midst of our devotions . " " What then , is our pleasant society to be broken up ?"

" Far from it . Let the tempest blow past , and in more favourable days we can renew it . Even yet Ave may meet at intervals , if not in Rome , in the country . Do you not concur with me , Murtius ?" .

" In every word . We are in great danger . Do not let us add to that danger , by imprudently neglecting ordinary caution . " " Very well , " said Murenna , " so long as we may meet , I am with you . Now aboufc this

pestilent Cenna . " Cenna unfortunately for himself had become avrare of fche existence of the Bacchanals . One night , in traversing the Suburra , he had come across Balbus on his way to the society , and

wondering what could bring him there at such an hour , he dogged his steps to the meeting house . He was surprised to see several men and women of the highest rank enter it , and resolved to discover the meaning of the mystery , he Avaited

patiently their forthcoming . Far on in the mornino * he watched , bufc no gleam of lig ht Avas seen , no noise was heard from that mysterious house , and when the dawn approached , those Avho were within crept stealthily away in ones and twos . Cenna's first thought pointed to a meeting of the