[Sidenote:  He persuades him to go.]

He urged, too, that, even if Caesar was determined to put off the action of the Senate to another day, he was imperiously bound to go himself and adjourn the session in person.  So saying, he took the hesitating potentate by the arm, and adding to his arguments a little gentle force, conducted him along.

[Sidenote:  Artemidorus discovers the plot.] [Sidenote:  He warns Caesar.]

The conspirators supposed that all was safe The fact was, however, that all had been discovered.  There was a certain Greek, a teacher of oratory, named Artemidorus.  He had contrived to learn something of the plot from some of the conspirators who were his pupils.  He wrote a brief statement of the leading particulars, and, having no other mode of access to Caesar, he determined to hand it to him on the way as he went to the senate-house.  Of course, the occasion was one of great public interest, and crowds had assembled in the streets to see the great conqueror as he went along.  As usual at such times, when powerful officers of state appear in public, many people came up to present petitions to him as he passed.  These he received, and handed them, without reading, to his secretary who attended him, as if to have them preserved for future examination.  Artemidorus, who was waiting for his opportunity, when he perceived what disposition Caesar made of the papers which were given to him, began to be afraid that his own communication would not be attended to until it was too late.  He accordingly pressed up near to Caesar, refusing to allow any one else to pass the paper in; and when, at last, he obtained an opportunity, he gave it directly into Caesar’s hands saying to him, “Read this immediately:  it concerns yourself, and is of the utmost importance”

Caesar took the paper and attempted to read it, but new petitions and other interruptions constantly prevented him; finally he gave up the attempt, and went on his way, receiving and passing to his secretary all other papers, but retaining this paper of Artemidorus in his hand.

[Sidenote:  Caesar and Spurinna.]

Caesar passed Spurinna on his way to the senate-house—­the soothsayer who had predicted some great danger connected with the Ides of March.  As soon as he recognized him, he accosted him with the words, “Well, Spurinna, the Ides of March have come, and I am safe.”  “Yes,” replied Spurinna, “they have come, but they are not yet over.”

[Sidenote:  Caesar arrives at the senate house.]

At length he arrived at the senate-house, with the paper of Artemidorus still unread in his hand.  The senators were all convened, the leading conspirators among them.  They all rose to receive Caesar as he entered.  Caesar advanced to the seat provided for him, and, when he was seated, the senators themselves sat down.  The moment had now arrived, and the conspirators, with pale looks and beating hearts, felt that now or never the deed was to be done.