A guard of soldiers led the unfortunate men away.
Herod, now weak and trembling, took the arm of Vergilius.
"To my palace!" said he, and they made their way to his litter.
"It will do no good to put them to torture," said Vergilius. "You have
heard all. They have met in darkness and the leaders have disguised
their voices. No member could be sure of the identity of any save
himself. Only two or three, perhaps, could have betrayed other members
of the order."
"Fool! were they not sure of Vergilius, the commander of the cohorts?"
said Herod.
"But the plot is uncovered, and now, great sir, I implore you, try the
remedy of Caesar."
Herod ceased muttering and turned with a look of inquiry.
"Forgive them," Vergilius added.
The king answered with curses. Then from his chamber, where they had
now arrived, he drove all save the young Roman. "Long ago I discovered
evidence of the treachery of the prince," said he. "To Antipater--foul
son of Doris--I despatched this letter."
He spread a sheet of vellum before Vergilius, bidding him read.
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