"It was a simple thing to have the tenements burned. Besides, it
profited the city--new streets; and there was twice the amount of tax
on the new tenements they raised. I, personally, made a handsome profit
on the purchase of a few burned houses."

"And as the governor who broke the famine," Galen continued.

"That was simple enough, but you may as well thank Cornificia. She found
out through the women who the men were who were holding corn for
speculation. All I did was to hand their names to Commodus; he
confiscated all the corn and sold it--at a handsome profit to himself,
since it had cost him nothing!"

"While we sit here and cackle like Asian birds, Commodus renames Rome
the City of Commodus and still lives!" Sextus grumbled.

"Nor can he be easily got rid of," remarked Daedalus the tribune. "He
goes to and fro from the palace through underground tunnels. Men sleep
in his room who are all involved with him in cruelties and infamy, so
they guard him carefully. Besides, whoever tried to murder him would
probably kill Paulus by mistake! The praetorian guard is contented,
being well paid and permitted all sorts of privileges. Who can get past
the praetorian guard?"

"Any one!" said Pertinax. "The point is not, who shall kill Commodus?
But who shall be raised in his place? There are thirty thousand ways to
kill a man. Ask Galen!"

Old Galen laughed at that.