s and any of Falco's retinue who could reach me, thumped me
and mauled me. I was horrified to realize all of a sudden that those who
had made most of me had always envied me in secret; that, to a man, they
hated me; that each and all would use every effort to ensure my ruin; that
I had to face perjury, unanimous perjury, gushing from an abundant well-
head of malignity, spite, and enmity. My valet alone seemed on my side,
and he could assist me not at all.

I was bound with ropes knotted till my hands and feet swelled, till the
cords cut into my flesh. I was abused, my clothing torn till I was half
naked. I was whacked and clawed till I was bleeding in a dozen places; I
was reviled, jeered at and threatened. Trussed like a fowl to be roasted,
I was half hustled half dragged, almost carried, down into the courtyard.
From there, after no long wait, I was haled off to the slaves' prison in
the Slave-Dealers' Exchange next the Slave-Market. There I was released
from my bonds, heavy shackles were riveted on my ankles and I was cast
into the lower dungeon.

I had had time to tell Dromo, my faithful valet, to inform Agathemer. I
knew he, in turn, would inform Tanno and Vedia. I was certain that they
would do all that they could. But I dreaded that they could do nothing. I
was despondent, despairing. Actually, Dromo must have been clever, prompt
and judicious, and Agathemer equally quick and resourceful, with the
fullest possible help from Tanno and Vedia, and they must have taxed to
the utmost their influence and their means.

After a night almost sleepless I was visited at dawn by no less a person
than Galen himself.

"My boy," he said, "you, are in a terrible situation and we were in a
quandary how to advise you. But, after much discussion, we are agreed that
you have some chance of life as Phorbas the slave, accused of murdering
his master, whereas you have no chance at all as Andivius Hedulio,
proscribed along with Egnatius Capito. Our new Emperor seems to feel that
all enemies of former Princes are foes of his; he seems to have ordered
his agents to be on the lookout for all living persons accused, relegated,
or banished under Julianus, Pertinax and Commodus. Those taken in Rome
have been promptly executed. By all means, whatever happens to you,
whatever threatens you, give no hint that you are Andivius Hedulio. Endure
what befalls and hope for life and safety and ultimate rehabilitation.

"Of course I can see you as