If the king interrogated him, he could draw conclusions from the questions asked, and could answer as seemed best for his own ends.

So he decided to push on, and, despite the storm which broke on this second morning, he rode out from Venafrum.
A few hours' travel, and, drenched with the furious rain, he came to Aesernia.

This town stood in a strong position on an isolated hill; its massive walls yet compassed it about.

On arriving at the gate he found himself unexpectedly challenged by armed men, who, though Italians, he at once suspected to be in the Gothic service.

A moment's hesitancy in replying to the questions, 'Whence ?' and 'Whither ?' sufficed to put him under arrest.