"Where is Sextus?" Pertinax asked.

"Aye! Where is Sextus!"

Marcia glared at Galen.

"We have to thank you for Sextus! You persuaded Pertinax to shield
Sextus. Pertinax persuaded me."

"You did it!" Galen answered dryly. "It is what we do that matters.
Squealing like a pig under a gate won't remedy the matter. You foresaw
the crisis long ago. Sextus has been very useful to you. He has kept
you informed, so don't lower yourself by turning on him now. What is
the latest news about the other factions?"

Marcia restrained herself, biting her lip. She loved old Galen, but she
did not relish being told the whole responsibility was hers, although
she knew it.

"There is no news," she answered. "Nobody has heard a word about the
murder yet. Commodus has had the bodies thrown into the sewer. But
there are spies in the palace--"

"To say nothing of Bultius Livius," Pertinax added. He was clicking the
rings on his fingers--symptom of irresolution that made Marcia grit her
teeth.

"The other factions are watching one another," Marcia went on. "They are
irresolute because they have no leader near enough to Rome to strike
without warning. Why are you irresolute?" She looked so hard at