anking him for the note and information he had sent
concerning Volero, and anticipating the immediate discovery of the
perpetrators of that horrid crime.

"I have not had the leisure to summon Volero before me," he added. "I
wished also that you, Arvina, should be present when I examine him. I
judge that it will be best, when we shall have dismissed all these, except
the lictors, to visit him this very night. He is a thrifty and laborious
artisan, and works until late by lamp light; we will go thither, if you
have naught to hinder you, at once."

Arvina could do no otherwise than assent; but his heart beat violently,
and he could scarcely frame his words, so dreadful was his agitation. Yet,
by dint of immense exertion, he contrived to maintain the outward
appearance of composure, which he was very far from feeling, and even to
keep up a connected conversation as they walked along. Returning home at a
much quicker pace than they had gone out, it was comparatively but a short
time before they arrived at the house of Cicero, and there dismissed their
followers, many of the slaves and freedmen of Arvina having joined the
procession in honour of their fellow-servant Thrasea.

Thence, reserving two lictors only of the twelve, the consul with his
wonted activity hurried directly forward by the Sacred Way to the arch of
Fabius; and then, as the young men had gone in the morning, through the
Forum toward the cutler's shop, taking the shortest way, and evidently
well acquainted with the spot beforehand.

"I caused the funeral to take place this night," he said to Arvina,
"instead of waiting the due term of eight days, on purpose that I might
create no suspicion in the minds of the slayers. They never will suspect
him, we have buried even now, to be the man they slew last night, and will
fancy, it may be, that the body is not discovered even."

"It will be well if it prove so," replied Paullus, feeling that he must
say something, and fearful of committing himself by many words.

"It will, and I think probably it may," answered Cicero. "But see, I was
right; there shines the light from Volero's shop, though all the other
booths have been closed long ago, and the streets are already silent.
There are but few men, even in this great city, of whom I know not
something, beyond the mere names. Think upon that, young man, and learn to
do likewise; cultivate memory, above all things, except virtue."

"I should have thought such thin