'The girl has already brought you some wine, I see.'

'Yes. It's quite good.'

'A modest vintage. My late friend Lucius Claudius was rather proud of it. Are you on your way from Rome to some point farther north?'

'I've come from Rome, yes, but this is my destination.'

'Really?' My heart sank. I had hoped he was merely passing through.

'I have business with you, Gordianus the Finder.' 'It's Gordianus the Farmer now, if you don't mind.' 'Whatever.' He shrugged. 'Perhaps we could retire to another room?'

"The courtyard is the coolest and most comfortable place at this time of day.'

'But perhaps there's another place more private, where we might be less likely to be overheard,' he suggested. My heart sank again.

'Marcus Caelius, it's good to see you again, truly. The day is hot and the road is dusty. I'm glad I can give you a cup of cool wine and a respite from your horse. Perhaps you require more than a drink and a brief rest? Very well, my hospitality is not exhausted. To ride all the way from Rome to my door and back again in a single day would challenge even a man as young and fit as you appear to be, and so I will gladly offer you accommodations for the night, if you wish. But unless you want to talk about haymaking or pressing olive oil or tending the vine, you and I have no business to discuss. I have given up my old livelihood.'

'So I've heard,' he said amiably, with an undaunted glimmer in his eyes. 'But you needn't worry. I haven't come to offer you work.'

'No?'

'No. I've come merely to ask a favour. Not for myself, you understand, but on behalf of the highest citizen in the land.' 'Cicero,' I sighed. 'I might have known.'

'When a duly elected consul calls him to duty, what Roman can refuse?' said Caelius. 'Especially considering the ties that bind the two of you. Are you sure there's not another room that might be more appropriate for our discussion?'