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Caesar Dies by Talbot Mundy
page 139 of 185 (75%)
Pertinax that he got up and began to pace the floor. "Severus and his
troops are in Pannonia. Pescennius Niger is in Syria. Clodius Albinus
is in Britain. The senators are all so jealous and afraid for their own
skins that they are as likely as not to betray one another to Commodus
the minute they learn that a crisis exists. If they hear that Commodus
is writing out proscription lists they will vie with one another to
denounce their own pet enemies--including you--and me!" she added.

"There is one chance yet," said Pertinax. "Bultius Livius may have
enough wisdom to denounce the leaders of the other factions and to clear
us. None of the others would be grateful to him. That Carthaginian
Severus, for instance, is invariably spiteful to the men who do him
favors. Bultius Livius may see that to protect us is his safest course,
as well as best for Rome."

He had more to say, but Marcia's scorn interrupted him. Galen chuckled.

"Rome! He cares only for Bultius Livius. It is now or never,
Pertinax!"

Marcia's intense emotion made her appear icily indifferent, but she did
not deceive Galen, although Pertinax welcomed her calmness as excusing
unenthusiasm in herself.

"Marcia is right," said Galen. "It is now or never. Marcia ought to
know Commodus!"

"Know him?" she exploded. "I can tell you step by step what he will do!
He will come out of the bath and eat a light meal, but he will drink
nothing, for fear of poison. Presently he will be thirsty and lonely,
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