be a dozen traitors!"

"Rome is too much ruled by women! I will not kill Commodus, and I will
give him this one chance," said Pertinax. "I will protect him, unless
and until I shall discover proof that he intends to turn on you, or me,
or any of my friends."

"You may discover that too late!" said Marcia; but she seemed to
understand him and looked satisfied. "Come tonight to the palace--
Galen," she added, "come you also--and bring poison!"

Galen met her gaze and shut his lips tight.

"Galen," she said, "either you will do this or--I have been your friend.
Now be you mine! It is too risky to send one of my slaves to fetch a
poison. You are to come tonight and bring the poison with you.
Otherwise--you understand?"

"You are extremely comprehensible!" said Galen, pursing up his lips.

"You will obey?"

"I must," said Galen. But he did not say whether he would obey her or
his inclination. Pertinax, eyeing him doubtfully, seemed torn between
suspicion of him and respect for long-tried friendship.

"May we depend on you?" he asked. He laid a hand on Galen's shoulder,
bending over him.

"I am an old man," Galen answered. "In any event I have not long to