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ONES1MUS 83
on which the centurion lived. At the sight of a centurion in
the armour of the Praetorians, and a
boy who wore a golden
bulla, and whom some of them recognised as a son of the
brave general Vespasian, the crowd made way. As they
passed by, Titus noticed the youth's distress, and, compassionate
as usual, begged Pudens to ask what was the matter.
The vigiles briefly explained how they had seized their
prisoner, who must have been guilty of the lead-stealing
complained of, for the axe was in his hand, and no one
else was near.
'
What have you to say for yourself ? ' asked the centurion.
'
'
I am innocent,' said the prisoner, in Greek ;
the axe is
not mine. I only picked it up to look at it. It must have
been a young student who was using it, for I saw him run
out of the Forum with his slave.'
Pudens and Titus exchanged glances, for they had met the
student and slave still
hurrying rapidly along. He was
the real culprit, but he had heard the silversmiths call for
the police, and had taken to his heels. Pudens had seen
him stop at the house of a knight a street or two distant,
and run up the steps with a speed which a Roman regarded
as very undignified.
'
Come with me,' he said to the police,
'
and I think I can
take you to the real offender. This youth is innocent, though
things look against him.'
Followed by the crowd, who grumbled a little at losing the
enjoyment of watching the trial, Pudens led them to the
knight's house. The little slave was amusing himself with
hopping to and fro under the vestibule.
'
'
Keep back, Quirites,' said the head vigil. The centurion
and I will ask a question here.'
'
Do you know this axe, my small salaputium J ?
Pudens.
'
said
'
Yes,' said the child with alacrity, for he was too young to
understand the situation. 'It is ours. We dropped
it not
long ago.'
'
The case is clear,' said Pudens.
'
I will be witness ;
'
and
he offered his ears for the officer to touch. 2 ' Meanwhile you
can set this youth free.'
1
Salaputium, ' hop-o'-my-thumb.'
2
To offer the ears to be touched was a sign of willingness to give witness.
See Hor. Sat, ix. 77 ;
and for the reason of the custom, Pliny, N. H. xi. 103.