"Do you know who he is?"
"Never set eyes on him before," I replied.
"Do you know what he is?"
"No," I answered, "I do not. What is he, according to your conjecture?"
"I'm not depending on any conjectures," Tanno bellowed, "I know to a
certainty."
"Then tell us," I called.
"Not here!" cried Tanno. "I'll tell you later."
He pulled his head inside his litter.
We again stared up the crossroad. Nothing was in sight.
"It seems to me," Hirnio again addressed Murmex, "that not only your
father was a Nersian, but also Pacideianus and that I have heard that he
also was living in retirement at Nersae."
"He is yet," rejoined Murmex, laconically.
"Then you know him?" Hirnio queried.
"My mother," said Murmex, "is his sister."
"Your uncle!" cried Hirnio, "son to one of the two greatest retired
gladiators in Italy, nephew to the other! Living in the same town with
them! Did either of them ever teach you anything of sword play?"
"Both of them," said Murmex, "taught me everything they knew of sword
play, from the day I could hold a toy lath sword."
"Hercules!" I cried, "and what did they say of your proficiency?"
"My father with his last breath," said Murmex solemnly, "and my uncle
Pacideianus as he bade me farewell, told me that I am the best swordsman
alive.
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