I never knew why he had a spite
against you, but he had and it was false information given by him that
caused your proscription and ruin and thrust you into your years of
misery. I always felt that you did not deserve what you have suffered, but
his grudges were none of my business.
"He is dead, as is Galvia, for she kept poison about her and gave a supply
to him and to me to use in case of capture. I was caught without mine, for
I was certain that no danger threatened me. He and she took the poison
when they saw capture inevitable, as it will be for most evil-doers all
over the Empire under the sway of such a man as Septimius Severus."
He paused and I meditated awhile, puzzling as to how I could have incurred
the vindictive rancor of any secret-service agent.
Presently I said:
"Tell me how you came to be King of the Highwaymen."
"My boy," he said, "my case is far different from yours. You had an
honorable origin and an honorable past. Nor were any of your adventures
discreditable to you, even if some situations you have been in were
distressing then and are humiliating to remember. You have nothing to be
ashamed of unless it be such a trifling peccadillo as impersonating
Salsonius Salinator.
"My origin I shall never disclose, not even to a brother in misfortune.
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