The Nemesis: A Tale Of The Days Of Trajan.

rogue Cassius . I hope , when he succeeds to my office , he may succeed to my cares . " " He has small chance of succeeding either to one or the other . Meanwhile leave me ; the Vestals are safe with you . "

Muttering to himself , the Pontiff left the Emperor's apartment , and scarce had he gone when Trajan called for his trusty Dentatus . " Was I not right after all , Dentatus ? Read that . "

Dentatus read the letter with clenched hand , pursed lip , and flashing eye , for Sempronia ' s blood ran in the old captain's veins . He handed Trajan back the letter . " This is true information , " said the Emperor .

" Certain . Poor Sempronia , to have fallen beneath the arts of such a rascal . I remember as yesterday her running about a little merry-faced thing , the delight of her father ' s house . Alas , her happy days are over . "

" I fear me , yes . Balbus must be arrested , but first we must catch Marenna . He seems to be in the plot . " "I shall manage that before he leaves Rome . But what are we to do with the jDoor girl—hand

her up to justice ?" " Not so ; go you quietly , and seize upon the caitiff's house , see her alone , and we will smuggle her out of Rome , and send her to the provinces . I have no mind to the burying of these poor women alive . "

"And Balbus , —is he to escape ?" " Trust me for that , Dentatus . As surely as I am Emperor he shall die , but for some other offence than Sempronia ' s destruction . Cenna ' s death , his connection with the Bacchanals , will

suffice . Send Marenna here when you have captured him , and then proceed to Balbus' house . Take only men that you can depend upon with you thither . The honour of a great house must be preserved . "

" Must Sempronius be told of this disgrace ?" " That must be settled afterwards . Let us first trap the villain , and rescue his victim . " Dentatus chose twelve soldiers , ail tried men , who had served under him in many campaigns ,

and who would have died to shield him from harm . A few words from their beloved leader warned them that their expedition was both speedy and secret , but these old war dogs were equally swift in execution as they were silent in the strike . Dentatus first led them to Marenna ' s , where several horses

stood saddled for the journey . He saw that so much of the letter was true , and judged that the rest would be equally true . Halting his forcewithin hail , he lounged carelessly up to the house , and reached the door just as Marenna came out .

" Going a journey , Marenna ? " he asked . " Only a short distance from town . A change ' of air I think would free me from a slight indisposition . " "Are you ill ? " said Dentatus , putting himself between Marenna and his horse , " you look well . "

" Ah , looks do not go for much ; but excuse me I must be off , as I have far to ride . " " I thought you said that you were only going " a short distance from town , " said Dentatus carelessly , getting out of the way , and allowing Mar

renna to pass . " Oh , " answered Marenna , with a laugh to conceal his embarassment , " a short distance to an invalid is always a long one . Good-day . " " Stop , stop , man , don't be in a hurry . You

will reach your destination in abundance of time ; " ' and Dentatus caught the horse's rein . " I want . I to have a chat with you . Why have you nevercalled upon me ?"

" Really , I will make up for my remissness when I return ; believe me I am pressed for time . " " Others complain of you ; the Emperor was . saying to-day that he had never seen you . " " He honours me , but when I return "

" Ah , you are in a hurry . Well , good-day , when j ^ ou return Oh , by the way , I was forgetting ' . Had you not better see the Emperor before you . leave ?" "Wherefore ? " said Marenna , growing pale .

"By Momus , what a joker you are . When Trajan wishes to see one , one is generally anxious to know why . " " Then the Emperor wishes to see me ?"

" I should say so , " answered Dentatus , waving with his hand to his men , " since he told me to request you not to leave leave Rome without seeing him . " "Am I a prisoner ? " asked Marenna , trembling ;

as the soldiers surrounded him , cursing himself for not having left Rome days before . " " A prisoner ! what nonsense , " answered Dentatus , with a laugh , " what put that in your head ? He sent a couple of my men here as a guard of honour . " Extreme danger called up courage in Marenna ' s >