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about to depart to arrest them, “Wait here. We shall see what Septimus Favonius has to say.”

A moment later the three entered and approached the Emperor. Favonius and Lepus saluted Validus and then the former presented von Harben as a barbarian chief from Germania.

“We have already heard of this barbarian chief,” said Validus, with a sneer. Favonius and Lepus glanced at Fupus. “Why was I not immediately notified of the capture of this prisoner?” This time the Emperor directed his remarks to Mallius Lepus.

“There has been little delay, Caesar,” replied the young officer. “It was necessary that he be bathed and properly clothed before he was brought here.”

“It was not necessary that he be brought here,” said Validus. “There are dungeons in Castrum Mare for prisoners from Castra Sanguinarius.”

“He is not from Castra Sanguinarius,” said Septimus Favonius.

“Where are you from and what are you doing in my country?” demanded Validus, turning upon von Harben.

“I am from a country that your historians knew as Germania,” replied Erich.

“And I suppose you learned to speak our language in Germania,” sneered Validus.

“Yes,” replied von Harben, “I did.”

“And you have neyer been to Castra Sanguinarius?”

“Never.”

“I presume you have been to Rome,” laughed Validus.

“Yes, many times,” replied von Harben.

“And who is Emperor there now?”

“There is no Roman Emperor,” said von Harben.

“No Roman Emperor!” exclaimed Validus. “If you are not a spy from Castra Sanguinarius, you are a lunatic. Perhaps you are both, for no one but a lunatic would expect me to believe such a story. No Roman Emperor, indeed!”

“There is no Roman Emperor,” said von Harben, “because there is no Roman Empire. Mallius Lepus tells me that your country has had no intercourse with the outside world for