TARZAN AND THE LOST EMPIRE
appeal to Caesar, which is my right as a citizen of Rome, the mother city that we have never seen, but whose right to citizenship has been handed down to us from our ancient sires. Unless the spark of freedom is to be denied us, you cannot refuse me that right, Sublatus.”
The Emperor paled and then flushed with anger. “Come to me tomorrow,” he said. “You shall have whatever you wish.”
“If you do not hear me now, there will be no tomorrow,” she said. “I demand my rights now.”
“Well,” demanded Caesar, coldly, “what favor do you seek?”
“I seek no favor,” replied Dilecta. “I seek the right to know if the thing for which I am paying this awful price has been done, as it was promised.”
“What do you mean?” demanded Sublatus. “What proof do you wish?”
“I wish to see Maximus Praeclarus here alive and free,” replied the girl, “before I pledge my troth to Fastus. That, as you well know, was the price of my promise to wed him.”
Caesar arose angrily. “That cannot be,” he said.
“Oh, yes, it can be,” cried a voice from the balcony at the side of the chamber, “for Maximus Praeclarus stands just behind me.”
Chapter Nineteen
Every eye turned in the direction of the balcony from which came the voice of the speaker. A gasp of astonishment arose from the crowded room.
“The barbarian!” “Maximus Praeclarus!” cried a score of voices.
“The guard! The guard!” screamed Caesar, as Tarzan leaped from the balcony to one of the tall pillars that sup-
159
