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PERILS OF BRITANNICUS 195
was hidden under the cloak of the murderer. Breathless
with anxiety, he watched and listened. The slave came near
to the room of Britannicus. Noiselessly he placed his lantern
on the floor, then he drew a large dagger, and Onesimus
saw its blade flash in the light as the wretch examined
it. One instant more and his hand was thrusting an oiled
key into the lock.
Then it was that Onesimus gave a short, sharp sound like
the bark of a pet dog. The murderer started violently.
Onesimus repeated the sound, which was immediately taken
up by a dog which belonged to one of the freedwomen.
Hesitating no longer, he leapt out of his shelter with the
challenge, Who ' '
goes there ? and at the same moment Titus,
who had slept in his clothes, unfastened the door, and sprang
in front of it with a sword in his hand.
Without staying an instant longer the murderer dashed
down his lantern and fled, lor slaves and freedmen were
heard stirring on every side. Onesimus did not attempt to
pursue him, but quietly slipped back to his own cell. He
knew that for that night the dark plot was frustrated and
Britannicus was safe.
To the slaves whom the noise had disturbed Titus only said
that he had been troubled by the nightmare, and bade them
return to sleep. But not a few of them shrewdly suspected
that they had not been told the whole truth.