ecision sudden and irrevocable. He
clenched his fingers and his lower lip came forward by the fraction of
an inch.

"I must save my Christians. What do you know about poisons?" she
demanded.

"Less than many people," Galen answered. "I have studied antidotes. I
am a doctor. Those I poisoned thought as I did, that I gave them
something for their health. My methods have changed with experience.
Doctoring is like statesmanship--which is to say, groping in the dark
through mazes of misinformation."

"Know you a poison," asked Marcia, "that will not harm one who merely
tastes it, but will kill whoever drinks a quantity? Something without
flavor? Something colorless that can be mixed with wine? Know you a
safe poison, Galen?"

"Aye--irresolution!" Galen answered. "I will not be made a victim of
it. Who shall aspire to the throne if Commodus dies?"

"Pertinax!"

Pertinax looked startled, stroking his beard, uncrossing his knees.

"Then let Pertinax do his own work," said Galen. "Rome is full of
poisoners, but hasn't Pertinax a sword?"

"Aye. And it has been the emperor's until this minute," Pertinax said
grimly. "Galen tells us Commodus is mad. And I agree that Rome
deserves a better emperor. But whether I am fit to be that emperor is
something not yet clear to me. I doubt it. Whom the Fates select for
such a purpose, they compel, and he is unwise who resists them. I will
not resist. But let there be no doubt on this point: I will not slay
Commodus. I will not draw sword against the man to whom I owe my
fortune. I am not an ingrate. Sextus lives for his revenge. If you
should ask me I would answer, Sextus planned this murder in the tunnel
and the blow was meant for Commodus himself. I am inclined to deal with
Sextus firmly. It is not too late. There is a chance that Commodus,
deprived now of his opportunities to make himself a spectacle, may bend
his energies to government. Madman though he is, he is the emperor, and
if he is disposed now to govern well, with capable advisers, I would be
the last to turn on him."

"If he will be advised by you?" suggested Marcia, her accent tart with
sarcasm. "What will you advise him about Sextus?"

"There are plenty of ways of getting rid of Sextus without killing him,"
said Pertinax. "He is a young man needing outlets for his energy and
fuel for his pride. If he were sent to Parthia, in secret, as an agent
authorized to penetrate that country and r