EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS
possibility of surprise when a man halted before the barred gateway to their cell. As the visitor fitted the key to the lock Praeclarus recognized him through the bars.
“Appius Applosus!” he cried. “You have comel”
“Ps-st!” cautioned Applosus, and quickly opening the gate he stepped within and closed it silently behind him. With a quick glance he surveyed the cell and then extinguished his torch against the stone wall. “It is fortunate that you are alone,” he said, speaking in whispers, as he dropped to the floor close to the two men.
“You are trembling,” said Praeclarus. “What has happened?”
“It is not what has happened, but what is about to happen that alarms me,” replied Applosus. “You have probably wondered why I had not brought the keys. You have doubtless thought me faithless, but the fact is that up to this instant, it has been impossible, although I have stood ready pefore to risk my life in the attempt, even as I am now doing.”
“But why should it be so difficult for the commander of the Colosseum guard to visit the dungeon?”
“I am no longer the commander of the guards,” replied Applosus.
“Something must have aroused Caesar’s suspicions, for I was removed in the hour that I last left you. Whether someone overheard and reported our plan or whether it was merely my known friendship for you that aroused his misgivings, I may only surmise, but the fact remains that I have been kept on duty constantly at the Porta Praetoria since I was transferred there from the Colosseum. I have not even been permitted to return to my home, the reason given being that Caesar expects an uprising of the barbarians of the outer villages, which, as we all know, is utterly ridiculous.
“I risked everything to leave my post only an hour ago and that because of a word of gossip that was passed to me by a young officer, who came to relieve another at the gate.”
“What said he?” demanded Praeclarus.
“He said that an officer of the palace guard had told him that he had been ordered to come to your cell tonight and assassinate both you and this white barbarian. I hastened to
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