"
I shuddered, not metaphorically, but actually. I felt cold all over, as if
plunged into an icy mountain stream. Ravillanus claimed as his ancestor
Cassius Ravilla and aimed at emulating him. Certainly, as a magistrate, he
quite frankly talked and acted as if acquittal were a disgrace to the
court, and the object of each trial not impartial justice but the
conviction of the accused. He was perfectly sincere, upright in every
intention, incorruptible, fanatical, self-opinionated, austere, ascetic,
stern and harsh. I shuddered again and again at the thought of him.
"Ravillanus has the reputation of being unbribable," Galen went on, 'and
it is a question whether an attempt at bribery might not prejudice your
case more than letting matters be. Yet I have employed an agent far too
clever to bungle any approach, and something may be done for you. Vedia is
despondent, but resolute to keep her head and help you all she can, and
she has cash to spare and much influence. Tanno has even more of both.
Agathemer is hopeful of running down the real murderers, as they are
loaded with their booty. If they are caught we can clear you.
"Keep up a brave heart."
I tried to, but it was impossible. I ate little and slept hardly at all.
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