I had promptly read the letters.
Agathemer's Galen had anticipated, mostly. Besides briefly telling me of
his measures for detecting the murderers, and prophesying their success,
he assured me of his devotion and alertness to take advantage of any
chance to help me.
Tanno pledged me his utmost efforts to assist me, and emphasized his hope
that the influences which he and Vedia could enlist in my behalf and the
cash at their disposal would protect me from the worst horrors of trial as
a slave and would ultimately clear me and free me from danger.
Vedia wrote:
"The Leopard-Tamer's bride gives greeting to the Leopard-Tamer. Keep up
your courage! Do not be despondent, but have a hopeful heart. All that
gold, all that influence can do for you, shall be done. Cheer up! You will
live to see yourself a free man, unsmirched by any accusation, you and I
will be married and live many years of happiness afterwards: Farewell."
Investigations of murders are prompt in Rome and trials of accused slaves
quickly disposed of. Before the next morning was half way to noon, on the
fifth day before the Ides of July, I found myself, still shackled, but
well fed and well clad, in the Basilica Sempronia, before the magistrate
charged with deciding such cases.
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