And he bade me go to you with his congratulations that you have
succeeded so long in keeping your head upon your shoulders. Oh, deep
and cunning imperator! Said he: 'I cannot tell you the name of my
informant; and really, my good son, why--why should I?' There, spread
before me on the table, so I knew he wished me to see it, was a letter
which bore the signature of Manius and gave information of a certain
council. I could not make out the name, but I was able to recall how
the great father had said to me, once, that when a man secretly puts
blame upon another, the infamy he charges shall be only half his own.
Our imperator is no fool, my friend. 'A ship will be leaving the
seventh day before the ides,' said he. '_You_ will not be able to make
it.' His meaning was clear. It could bear my warning, if not me, and
here it is. With the gods' favor, soon, also, I shall be able to say
to you, here am I. To-morrow at dawn I leave for Jerusalem."
Beneath the signature these words were added: "As soon as possible I
wish to know all and to speak my heart to you.
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