one cannot pursue or seem to pursue, a lady in the
Thermae.

Each day, also, I had called to see her at her house; each day I had been
rebuffed. On the morning of the nineteenth day before the Kalends of
September one of the runners brought me a letter. It read:

"Vedia gives greetings to Andivius. If you are well I am well also."

But this formal opening altered at once to familiar writing.

"You are acting like a silly boy. As things are, both in my cousins'
clan and in that of my late husband, I cannot receive you at my house,
and you ought to have sense enough to realize that without being told.
Be patient and I shall arrange for an interview with you. Please avoid
me at the Baths, as I have you.

"Farewell."

This letter greatly encouraged me and I felt so elated that I really
enjoyed life for the next few days, which were filled up with a reception
of my own each morning, a round of receptions to salute magnates, my
salutation to the Emperor, a lunch always with some friends, a long nap at
home, a lingering afternoon at the Baths of Titus, and a jolly dinner at
some friend's house, for I was invited out twice each day.

On the seventh day before the Kalends of September, as I was on my way to
the Palace levee, a runner inconspicuously clad ranged himself alongside
my litter and handed me a letter.

It read:

"She whose handwriting he will recognize gives greeting to Hedulio.
Take care! Do not let anyone see this letter; take care to seem
negligent and uninterested as you read it.

"A conspiracy against the life of Caesar has been detected and
reported. Its leader is said to be Egnatius Capito. As some informer,
sponsored by Talponius Pulto, claims to have seen you in Capito's
company, you are implicated. Save yourself. Do not return home. Do not
go to the Palace, order yourself carried immediately to the
Querquetulan Gate. On the way there purchase a raincloak and an
umbrella hat and whatever else may be needful for your journey.
Outside the _Porta Querquetulana_, in front of Plosurnia's tavern, you
will find one of the fastest horses in Italy, a blood-bay, noticeable
for light-blue reins with silver bosses, his saddlecloth light-blue
with a silver edge. Descend from your litter in front of the tavern,
accost the man holding the horse, say to him:

"'Is this the leopard-tamer's horse?'

"He will reply: