of vellum in his hands. He continued, without raising
his eyes: "I have another test for you, my fair son. You shall be
assistant procurator in Jerusalem, with rank of tribune. It may be you
shall have command of the castle. Three days from now take the south
road with Manius and a troop of horse. This court of Herod--of course,
I am speaking kindly, my dear Vergilius--but, you may know, it is a
place of mysteries, and there are many things I do not need to _say_ to
_you_."

The old emperor, leaning forward, touched the arm of the young man and
gave him a cunning glance.

"A cipher," he added, passing the sheet of vellum. "It will be known
to you and to me only. You will understand what I wish to know. You
shall have command of a cohort."

Vergilius thought for a second of that strange overhauling of Manius
the night before, and of the shrewdness of the great father in
returning him, kindly, to his task, with a pair of eyes to keep watch
of him.

"With all my heart I thank you," said the young knight. "But--my
beloved father--I was hoping to marry and--and know the path of peace."

"But I am sure you will wait two years--only two years," said the
other, rising with extended hands. "There is time enough; and
remember, whether to peace or war, your path is that of duty.
Farewell!"

It was a way he had of commanding, kindly but inexorable, and Vergilius
knew it. Again he spoke as the knight turned away.

"This young Antipater--do you know him?"

"Not well."

"But, possibly, well enough," said the emperor, with a knowing look.
Then, casually: "Oh, there is yet a little matter--that new king the
Jews are looking for--if he should come, I suppose he will report to
me, but--but let me know what you learn. Study the Jewish faith and
discover what this hope is founded upon." Then he turned quickly and
went away.

This "little matter" counted much with the shrewd emperor. Kings were
his puppets, and if there were to be a new one he must, indeed,
consider what to do with him. Yet he had shame of his interest in
"that foolish gossip" of an alien race. Therefore he put it only as a
trifling after-thought. But he had a way of talking with his eyes, and
the alert youth read them well.

That elation of the young lover now had its boundary of thoughtfulness.
Going down the Palatine, he was also descending his hill of happiness.
Below him, in the Forum, he could see the golden mile-stone of
Augustus, now