sion, but urbanely, the porter asserting
that his mistress was not at home.

While I was questioning the porter, who was becomingly respectful, a bevy
of Vedian retainers, house-lackeys and other slaves, overtook me,
demanding the return of the Aquitanian watchdog.

"Take him!" I said, "take him if you can!"

The boldest of them approached the dog, calling him by name and
wheedlingly. When he was but a yard or so away the dog flew at his throat
and almost set his fangs into it, for they snapped together a mere hand's
breadth short.

The fellow recoiled and, when the dog followed like an arrow from a bow,
took to his heels, his companions with him, and they ran helter-skelter
down the street, the dog pursuing them to the corner of the Carinae, and
returning, his tongue hanging out, his tail wagging, with all the
demonstrations of a dog who feels he has done his full duty and has earned
approbation.

Hardly had he returned when a band of Satronians appeared and a similar
scene was enacted, with the Molossian as chief actor.

When the last Satronian had vanished round the corner of the thoroughfare
I reentered my litter and we set off for the Palace, both dogs sedately
pacing side by side underneath.

At the Palace portal Agathemer had no difficulty in locating Murmex, even
in the crowd which packed all approaches to that entrance. I spoke to the
centurion on duty at the portal and to the head out-door usher, meaning to
arrange that Murmex should be let in among the first when the commonality
were admitted after the senators and knights had paid their duty to the
Emperor. To my amazement the head usher looked at a list or memorandum
which he had in his hand and said:

"You are Andivius Hedulio, are you not? You are to take in with you
anybody you please, to the number of ten. Caesar has given special orders
about you." Murmex therefore passed in with me and took up a position in
the lower part of the Audience Hall, where I could send a page to summon
him if my plans worked out as I hoped.

We were early and the vast public throne-room almost empty. Tanno joined
me after I had stood but a short time and not long afterwards the Emperor
entered, just as a fair crowd of senators had assembled.

The formal salutation began at once and I noticed that the Emperor said
something personal to Vedius and that Vedius stepped out of the line of
salutants and took up a position behind the Emperor on his left. Similarly
he sp