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           Gracchus’sservantstoodpatientlyforalongtimewithhisbagofmoney,butnoonecametohim.InthecafeProximo’stablewasnowempty.Heknewwhentodisappear.

           ***

           MaximuswasbroughttoProximo’sroombytwoguardsjustaftersunset.Hewasimpatient,readytostart.ProximolookedatMaximusandshookhishead."Itried,"hesaid."Itwon’twork.TheEmperorknowstoomuch.Andthishasbecometoodangerousforme."

           "Letmego,"saidMaximus,"andyou’llbepaidwhenIreturn.Ipromiseyou."

           "Andwhatwillhappenifyoudon’treturn?"askedProximo."Trustme-IwillkillCommodus,"saidMaximus.ProximolookedhardatMaximus,studyinghim."IknowIcantrustyou,General,"hesaid."Iknowyouwoulddieforhonor,orforRome,orthememoryofyourfamily.I,ontheotherhand,amjustanentertainer."Hecalledforhisguards."Takehimaway."

           MaximuslookedstraightintoProximo’seyes."Hekilledthemanwhofreedyou,"hesaid.

           AfterMaximushadgone,ProximopickedupthewoodenswordthatMarcusAureliushadgivenhim,thesignofhisfreedom.Andhethoughtforalongtime.

           ***

           Falco’sspiesweregoodattheirjob.TheyhadfollowedGracchusandtheothersenators,thenLucilla,andnowProximo.Lucillaknewtheirliveswereingreatdangerandshetriedtokeepherbrothercalm.

           Maximusalsoknewit.Commoduswouldcomeforhimsoon,hewascertain.Inthedarkofnightinhisprisonroom,hesuddenlyheardfootstepscomingtowardhim.

           ItwasProximo.HewokeJubaandthrewhimout.ThenheturnedtoMaximus.