Before sunrise I saw the mounted
constables approaching down the mountain trail, for there were several
points on it where horsemen could be seen through the trees, even from
where we were.
I unfastened the coach door next the swamp, we kissed each other again and
again, and, as the horsemen came in sight away across the meadows where
they emerged from the woods, we exchanged a last farewell kiss and I
slipped out and across the swamp.
BOOK IV
DISSIMULATIONS
CHAPTER XXIX
FELIX
From the marsh my path homewards led me past the villa, for it was
directly between my cottage and the swamp. The very first human being I
encountered was the _Villicus_ himself.
"Hullo, Felix," he said. "I've been looking for you. We need you. Septima
says she hasn't seen you since early yesterday. Where have you been all
night?"
"Up a tree," I replied. "Bulla told me day before yesterday that he and
his lads planned a spectacular capture and robbery on the highway south of
Diana's Crag for yesterday afternoon. Most of the days lately on which you
haven't wanted me I have spent on top of the crag, watching the traffic on
the road. I went up there about the third hour yesterday morning, to view
the show Bulla had promised me.
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