“That is my doing,” said Sextus.

“Are you mad then, too?”

“Maybe!  I have persuaded Marcia that, now she has possession of the journal Livius was keeping, she can henceforth hold that over him and use him to advantage.  She can win his gratitude—­”

“He has none!”

“—­and at the same time hold over him the threat of exposure for connection with the Severus faction, and the Pescennius faction, and the Clodius Albinus faction.  He had it all down in his journal.  He can easily be involved in those conspiracies if Marcia isn’t satisfied with his spying in her behalf.”

“Gemini!  The man will break down under the strain.  He has no stamina.  He will denounce us all.”

“Let us hope so,” Sextus answered.  “I am counting on it.  Nothing but sudden danger will ever bring Pertinax up to the mark!  I gave a bond to Marcia for Livius’ life.”

“Jupiter!  What kind of bond?  And what has come over Marcia that she accepted it?”

“I guaranteed to her that I will not denounce herself to Commodus!  She saw the point.  She could never clear herself.”

“But how could you denounce her?  She can have you seized and silenced any time!  Weren’t you in Cornificia’s house, with the guard at the gate?  Why didn’t she summon the praetorians and hand you over to them?”

“Because Galen was there, too.  She loves him, trusts him, and Galen is my friend.  Besides, Pertinax would turn on her if she should have me killed.  Pertinax was my father’s friend, and is mine.  Marcia’s only chance, if Commodus should lose his life, is for Pertinax to seize the throne and continue to be her friend and protect her.  Any other possible successor to Commodus would have her head off in the same hour.”

“Well, Sextus, that argument won’t keep her from having you murdered.  I am only hoping she won’t order me to do it, because the cat will be out of the bag then.  I will not refuse, but I will certainly not kill you, and that will mean—­”

“You forget Norbanus and my freedmen,” Sextus interrupted.  “She knows very well that they know all my secrets.  They would avenge me instantly by sending Commodus full information of the plot, involving Marcia head over heels.  She is ready to betray Commodus if that should seem the safest course.  If she is capable of treachery to him, she is equally sure to betray all her friends if she thought her own life were in danger!”

“Now listen, Sextus, and don’t speak too loud or they’ll hear you in the cells; any of these poor devils would jump at a chance to save his own skin by betraying you and me.  Talk softly.  I say, listen!  There isn’t any safety anywhere with all these factions plotting each against the other, none knowing which will strike first and Commodus likely to pounce on all of them at any minute.  I don’t know why he hasn’t heard of it already.”

“He is too busy training his body to have time to use his brain,” said Sextus.  “However, go on.”