Chapter XIX
BUT what of the young charioteer? What had Gyges been doing while Psyche was enduring the weary months of her hopeless imprisonment? On the day after the rainy and despairing night of his flight from Rome, he met Aldo at Tusculum, as had been agreed upon. Together they then lived among the oak woods and in the small villages in the Sabine Mountains, until the vigilance of their pursuers gradually decreased. They then went to Casinum, a small town on the Via Latina. Here Gyges found accommodations with a farmer who lived on the outskirts of the town. In order that his muscles might retain their strength and flexibility, the charioteer exercised himself by working in the fields and vineyards.
However, this monotonous life became too irksome. Gyges hungered for the excitement of the Circus and the companionship of his horses. He prevailed upon the farmer to give him a stable. He then ventured to Capua and bought a young unbroken stallion. Again he went and bought a second. Finally he became the happy possessorof four spirited steeds. So adroitly did he train them that in a short time they knew his every word, and they could run four abreast without the use of reins or harness.
Nevertheless, while he trained his horses, he did not cease to be tormented by the fearful uncertainty of Psyche’s fate. In everything he did or refrained from doing, her influence seemed to stimulate or to restrain him. In the temple of Apollo, that rested on the mountain towering high above the city, he would fervently offer up a prayer to the sun-god for her deliverance. On the summit of the mountain, which afforded one of the most beautiful views in Italy, he would rest between the marble columns of the temple and drink in the inspiring sight. His thoughts, like birds flying along the ways of the winds to their nests, would revert to his betrothed. He seemed to see in the bright flashes of the far-distant sea her glances; in the solemn mountain-tops covered with verdure her virtues covered with purity; in the bright valleys her depressed spirits. In the sparkling, transparent stream that gently touched the small town and sang a gentle song of peace, he pictured her precious life.
But the knowledge that Sejanus instigated the murder of Drusus, that Livilla acquiesced, and that Lygdus committed the horrible deed, burdenedhim with the same feeling that weighs upon the criminal when in breathless expectancy he awaits the sentence of death. Whether absorbed in sad meditation upon the past, or partially engrossed with the affairs of the present, his knowledge of the crime seemed to cut him like a double-edged sword. Perpetually fed by the oil of his fears, his conviction appeared to glow within him like a lamp whose flame cannot be quenched.
After the first two months had passed, he could no longer bear the suspense under which he lived. He must know how Psyche was. He finally concluded to write to Macro, the officer in the Praetorian Camp who had been Gannon’s first employer and who had been a friend of Alcmaeon. Macro was also well known by Gyges. Many times had the soldier gone into the stables at the Circus and learned from Gyges the perfections, the faults, and the nice little points about horses that only thorough horsemen know. Together they had tried many horses that were to be bought by Macro for the use of the soldiers. Gyges therefore felt that he might divulge his hiding-place to Macro without fear. One day he decided to send Aldo to him with a letter, asking information about Psyche and her parents. He procured a horse for the boy and despatched him on his way.
“Guard well the letter, Aldo,” he cautioned. “Let no one see it but Macro. Go not to the stables at the Circus. Thou art not known in the city, but be seen as little as possible.”
“Fear not, O master. No one but Macro shall receive the letter,” said Aldo, as he nervously sat astride the horse, awaiting leave to start on his mission.
“After thou hast received Macro’s reply, go to Nana and tell her that all is well with me. Guard thy words. Speak only when spoken to. Go!”
Six days after the lad had left Casinum he was back again, bright and happy and bursting with news.
“They are well!” he called to Gyges at a distance.
“Didst thou see Macro?” he cried, as the horse and rider approached.
“Ay, and right glad was he, O master, to hear from thee,” said Aldo, as he sprang to the ground.
“What message did he send by thee?” asked Gyges, eagerly.
“He left me for some time. When he returned, he said only these three words, ‘They are well.’”
“And Nana? Didst thou see her?”
“Ay, my master. I told her what Macro hadsaid and also that thou art safe. She cried with joy.”
“Good heart!” said Gyges, smiling at the thought of Nana’s emotion. “Didst thou see any one else?”
“Nay, master. I longed to see the horses at the stable, but I dared not go.”
Gyges became as happy as a child when he heard that Psyche was safe and well. Each month he sent Aldo to Rome with reports to Nana and with inquiries to Macro. He was thus informed of the emperor’s departure from Rome and of Psyche’s removal to Pandataria. The last visit of Aldo brought news that startled Gyges. Macro had been appointed sub-prefect of the Praetorians. This position placed the soldier second only to Sejanus. Gyges rejoiced at the promotion of his friend, and believed that now some means could be arranged whereby he could communicate with Psyche.
However, the knowledge of the crime of Sejanus still burdened the mind of the charioteer. He felt that he must tell some one the horrible secret. “Why should I not see Macro and tell him?” he reasoned with himself. “If the emperor could but learn through Macro that Drusus was murdered, the soldier would receive still higher honors. I will write Macro and try to appoint a place of meeting. Ah!”he said to himself, “perhaps the freedom of Psyche may thus be secured!”
He wrote a letter and sent it to Rome by Aldo. Six days passed; seven; then eight; and Aldo did not return. Vague feelings of alarm took possession of Gyges. He could not believe that Aldo had been arrested, but he was tormented by doubts and fears. On the ninth day the lad returned, happy and smiling as ever.
“By Mercury, Aldo! Thou hast given me great fright!”
“The fault was not mine, my master. Macro was out of the city.”
“And thou didst await his return?”
“Ay, my master.”
“Thou art a good lad, Aldo. Thou hast truly earned thy freedom.”
“I do not seek to be free, my master. I wish to live always with thee.”
“But where is Macro’s reply?”
“He wrote nothing. He read thy letter carefully; then said, ‘Kalends—Tusculum—house of Junius—night.’”
“That is three days hence. Well do I know the honest Junius. Where didst thou stay while in Rome?”
“In thy new home, my master.”
“Nana is still well?”
“Ay, well, and anxious to see thee.”
Gyges shook his head sadly. “She may wait long,” he said. “This night, my boy, I start for Tusculum.”
“Am I to go with thee?” was Aldo’s eager question.
“Nay, my lad. Thou wilt remain here with the horses.”
Travelling by night and concealing himself by day, Gyges safely arrived at Tusculum. On the evening of the Kalends he knocked at the door of the house of Junius.
A slave opened the door.
“Thy lord Junius is within?” Gyges inquired.
“Nay,” was the reply. “What wouldst thou here?”
“I seek Macro, the sub-prefect of the Praetorians.”
“Macro now is master here. Junius is dead. What is thy name?”
“’Tis needless to give my name. I pray thee tell him that a horseman wishes to see him.”
The slave closed the door. Soon after he reappeared and said, “Enter.”
“Hail, O sub-prefect!” said Gyges, when he saw his friend Macro waiting in the atrium to receive him.
“Hail to thee, Gyges!” said Macro. “I feared thou wouldst have difficulty in reaching here. I should have sent thee a passport, but I am watchedtoo closely in the camp. Come apart with me and let me hear thy story.”
He led Gyges into an adjoining room and locked the door behind them. Taking a lighted lamp from a pedestal and carefully looking around the chamber, he went into a second room, locking the door between these two apartments. There were no openings in the last room except that of the closed door. “We shall be safe here from informers,” he said.
“Where is Junius, O Macro?” inquired Gyges.
“Dead,” replied Macro. “His property was confiscated. I have bought this house.”
“Of what sickness did he die?”
“Of a malady far too common in these times,” replied Macro, bitterly. “He was wealthy. Sejanus wished his money, and informers charged Junius with treason. The good and innocent man opened his veins. But come, O Gyges, tell me, why wert thou arrested? Why were Gannon’s parents and sister put into prison? In the camp I can learn nothing of their crime. They were guarded by special servants of Sejanus. Through a soldier I learned of Psyche’s departure. Ah! there are many mysteries in the Praetorian Camp that even the sub-prefect cannot unravel!”
“Art thou sure that no one will overhear us?”
“Ay; I have carefully locked the doors. But come! I cannot hide myself long. What secrethast thou that will make the greatest man in Rome tremble?”
“Dost thou know Lygdus?” asked Gyges.
“Ay; but I know no good of him,” said Macro, with a frown.
“Where is he now?”
“That I know not. What knowest thou of him?”
Coming close to Macro, Gyges whispered in his ear, “He murdered the emperor’s son!”
Macro started back aghast. “How dost thou know?” he demanded.
“What I shall tell thee, O Macro, will seem incredible. Thy master plotted the death of Drusus, Livilla abetted the dastardly plan, and Lygdus committed the terrible deed.”
“By the gods! Gyges, these are startling assertions!” said Macro, doubting the truth of the terrible charge made by Gyges.
“Ay, but there are sufficient proofs,” said Gyges, confidently. “Gannon was at one time employed by thee, if I mistake not.”
“Ay; and he was the brightest lad I ever had in my employ,” said Macro.
“Later he was transferred to the office of Sejanus,” continued Gyges. “He carried messages for thy master.”
“But that means nothing,” said Macro, impatiently.
“Wait thou a moment,” returned Gyges. “Hear my story. One day he carried a letter from Livilla to Sejanus, and read the letter—I know not why. That same night he was thrown from the roof of the barracks. He was murdered!”
“Gannon murdered? ’Tis impossible!” exclaimed Macro.
“Nay, O Macro; ’tis too true! The poor boy wrote on a piece of cloth these words, ‘Have done wrong; read a letter from L to S about Lygdus.’ The piece of cloth he sewed to the under side of his tunic. These words were the last he ever sent to his family. The L and S, my Macro, stand for Livilla and Sejanus.”
“But there is no proof in this,” objected Macro.
“Why were Alcmaeon and Hera arrested the following day?” asked Gyges, significantly.
“I know not,” was the reply.
“Why was Psyche imprisoned?”
“I know not that, either.”
“Why have I been sought?” persisted Gyges. “Is there not a reason to suspect that a great crime has been committed, when such innocent people are hunted and hurried to prison? Listen to what follows. Thou knowest that Lygdus is one of the greatest villains in Rome. Why should his name be associated in a letter between Livilla and Sejanus? I was with Psyche when she wasarrested. We were at Alcmaeon’s house. We entered and saw lying upon the floor Gannon’s tunic. By chance we read the words I have told thee. I went to the camp with Psyche and warned her not to acknowledge having seen the writing. After I left her I went to the house of Lygdus. He was not there. I then went to the palace of Drusus and asked the gate-keeper if Lygdus had entered. I learned that the eunuch had but that morning entered the employ of Livilla. Mark thou,Livilla—not Drusus. While I was talking to the gate-keeper, there were hurried calls for litters. I retreated, and watched the people as they came out in wild disorder. It was said that Drusus had died suddenly. Filled with the fear of my convictions, I waited a little longer. Sejanus appeared. He entered, and a short time after came out with Lygdus. The eunuch remained close to the gate. That is my story. The writing on Gannon’s tunic is the clue to it all.”
“Ye gods! can it be true?” exclaimed Macro.
“Canst thou doubt it?” asked Gyges.
“Nay; I can believe anything about Sejanus. But why hast thou kept silence so long, Gyges?”
“To whom could I tell this story and be believed but to thee, Macro? As soon as I heard of thy promotion, I communicated with thee.”
“By Hercules, O Gyges! It may be too late!” exclaimed Macro.
“What dost thou mean?”
“Ah! Now do I begin to understand clearly the plans of Sejanus. By the gods, O Gyges!He is the emperor!He has already strangled Nero. Agrippina and Drusus are in prison. Verily do I believe that Tiberius himself is a prisoner at Capri!”
“Ye gods! Has the power of Sejanus become so great? But where is Livia?”
“The mother of Tiberius is dead,” replied Macro.
“What! has she too been murdered?” exclaimed Gyges.
“Nay. Verily do I believe she died of a broken heart,” replied Macro.
“But is there no one with whom thou canst communicate?” asked Gyges, despairingly.
Macro thought for a moment, and then replied: “Ay, there is Antonia; but she is the mother of Livilla. However, I will see her and procure a letter from her to Tiberius. I will be silent about her daughter. Sejanus only will I accuse. Ay, Antonia can, and she will, help us. She is the only one in Rome whom Tiberius seems to respect. How can I thank thee for thy information, my Gyges? How can I ever repay thee?”
“Let me but see my Psyche, O Macro. Let me but send her a letter is all I ask.”
“But there are important duties now to be done,” said Macro, thoughtfully. “All communications that go to the emperor must pass through the hands of Sejanus.”
“Then no word can be sent to the emperor?” anxiously asked Gyges.
“Hold!” exclaimed Macro, excitedly. “I possess a duplicate seal of Sejanus. He gave it me to sign his correspondence. That will help us. But come! I must return to Rome this night. Meet me here two nights hence.”
“But I may be prevented,” replied Gyges. “Thou knowest that I am sought by the soldiers.”
“I will give thee a passport—” He hesitated a moment, and then added, “Perchance ’twould be better that thou shouldst rest here in this house until I return.”
The sub-prefect immediately departed for Rome. “Fare thee well, O Gyges!” he said, as he parted from the charioteer in the atrium. “Thou hast made the name of Macro great.”
“Happy omens be thy speed, O future prefect! Fare thee well!”