I felt that Maternus
might believe him Commodus and could never believe Commodus an Emperor or
even a noble.
I indicated Pulto, haughty, dignified, handsome and magnificently habited.
Maternus, apparently, believed me implicitly.
He whispered again.
"I am sure to get him when they come round again. Watch for my blow. If I
land or if I am seized, fend for yourself. Good luck and Mercury be good
to both of us. Farewell."
As the procession came round again I could hear my heart thump; but, to my
gaze, Maternus, handsome in his imitation Praetorian uniform, appeared the
personification of calmness.
When again the Imperial zany and his fan-bearers and posturing eunuchs had
passed us and the High Priest and his Acolytes were opposite us, Maternus
slipped forward between two of the Praetorians of the escort.
At that instant I felt a grip on my arm and Agathemer's voice whispered:
"Come!"
Together we slunk back into the crowd, and when the yell arose behind us,
presumably at sight of Pulto slaughtered by Maternus, we were well clear
of the press and in the act of darting into the shrubbery. In fact we got
clear away unpursued, unmolested, unhindered.
CHAPTER XVIII
GALLOPING
As the Gardens of Verus are north of the Tiber we had no difficulty
whatever in casting a wide circuit to the left and coming out on the
Aurelian Highway.
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