is shared in by the wise Cethegus cannot be foolish.
Speak! have you really joined this league against Teja?"

"I have; and when I leave you--let me be the first, Johannes, without
casting lots--I go straight to Vesuvius. The hour of the King's watch
approaches."

"This pleases me, Cethegus."

"Thanks. It will, no doubt, save you much trouble, _Prefect of Rome_,"
answered Cethegus.

A movement of extreme surprise escaped all present; for even those who
were initiated into the secret were amazed that Cethegus knew the
position of affairs.

Narses alone remained unmoved. He merely said in a low voice to
Basiliskos:

"He knows all, and it is well that he does so." Then he turned to
Cethegus and said: "It is not my fault, Cethegus, that I did not tell
you sooner of your dismissal; the Emperor had strictly forbidden me to
do so. I approve of your resolve, for it agrees with my best
intentions.--The barbarians shall not have the pleasure of slaying
another myriad of my people tonight. We will march forward at once with
all our troops, including both our wings, to within a spear's throw
from the pass. We will not leave the Goths room to sally far out. The
first step they take beyond the mouth of the ravine shall be amongst
our spears. I have also nothing to object, Cethegus, if volunteers
offer to fight that King of terrors. With his death, I hope, the
resistance of the Goths will cease. Only one thing makes me anxious. I
have long ago ordered up the Ionian fleet--for I expected that all
would be over a few days earlier--and yet it has not arrived. The ships
are to take the captured barbarians on board at once, and carry them to
Byzantium.--Has the swift-sailer which I sent to gather news beyond the
Straits, of Regium not yet returned. Captain Konon?"

"No, general. Neither has a second swift ship, which I sent after the
first."

"Can the late storm have damaged the fleet?"

"Impossible, general! It was not violent enough. And the fleets
according to the last reports, lay safe at anchor in the harbour of
Brundusium."

"Well, we cannot wait for the ships! Forward, my leaders! We will march
at once to the pass. Farewell, Cethegus! Do not let your dismissal
disquiet you. I fear that you will be menaced with many a troublesome
process when the war is ended. You have many enemies, rightly and
wrongly. There are bad omens against you. But I know that from the very
beginning you have believed in only one omen--'The onl