that legion waiting under arms so near the city. I was snubbed for my
pains, but I did my duty."

"Your duty? There were plenty of people more concerned than you," said
Livius, looking again as if he thought he had detected an intrigue.
"There were the Ostian authorities, for instance, but I did not hear of
their complaining."

"Naturally not," said Pertinax, suppressing irritation. "Every day the
legion lingered there meant money for the enterprising city fathers. I
am opposed to all the petty pouching of commissions that goes on."

"Doubtless. Being governor of Rome, you naturally--"

"I have heard of peculations at the palace," Pertinax interrupted.

"Be that as it may, Commodus ordered out the cohort, sent it marching
and amused himself inventing new ingenious torments for Maternus.
Alternatively, he proposed to himself to have the cohort slaughtered in
the arena, officers and all, if they should fail of their mission; so
it was safe to wager they were going to bring back some one said to be
Maternus, whether or not they caught the right man. Commodus was
indulging in one of his storms of imperial righteousness. He was going
to stamp out lawlessness. He was going to make it safe for any one to
come or go along the Roman roads. Oh, he was in a fine Augustan mood.
It wasn't safe for any one but Marcia to come within a mile of him.
Scowl--you know that scowl of his--it freezes the very sentries on the
wall if he looks at their backs through the window! I don't suppose
there was a woman in Rome just then who would have cared to change
places with Marcia! He sent for her, and half the palace betted she was