The Dreams of Morpheus Read Online Free PDF

have the inscription acknowledging imperial regulation of weights and measures. The only difference would be that a military one has the legion, cohort and century to which it has been issued engraved upon it.’
    â€˜But if it hasn’t been issued?’
    â€˜Then it wouldn’t have a military engraving on it.’
    â€˜That’s what I thought. I’ll take a dozen.’
    â€˜A dozen? But these things are tightly regulated; they remain the property of the Emperor. They have to be signed in and out.’
    â€˜I wasn’t for a moment thinking of having the Emperor’s. That could get us into serious trouble; I was planning to have yours.’
    â€˜Mine?’
    â€˜Yes, why not?’ Magnus’ grip tightened round Aetius’ shoulders. ‘I imagine quite a few were sadly destroyed in that fire all those years ago; I just want a dozen of them.’
    â€˜I’ve only got half a dozen left.’
    â€˜They’ll have to do then. How would you make them one sextius short?’
    â€˜Put a false bottom in, of course.’
    â€˜How long will that take?’
    â€˜I’ve got a man who could do all six in a day, no questions asked.’
    â€˜You sound confident.’
    â€˜He’s done it before.’
    Magnus stopped. ‘When?’
    â€˜A couple of months ago.’
    â€˜Who for?’
    Aetius shrugged. ‘I don’t know; the deal was through a series of intermediaries. I only do business face to face with a very fewtrusted associates like yourself. There’s no way that I can find out who it was, Magnus, unless I jeopardise my anonymity and reputation for discretion.’
    â€˜You don’t need to, my friend. Have the measures delivered tomorrow morning at the latest, but tell your man not to make too good a job of the false bottoms; I need them to be visible.’
    â€˜They’re never exact.’
    â€˜Good.’
    Aetius rubbed his thumb against his fingers. ‘And what about, you know.’
    Magnus slapped his back. ‘Aetius, I believe that your second sixteen years are up very soon and I don’t suppose they’ll have you back.’
    â€˜No, I suspect you’re right.’
    â€˜So you’ll be looking for a safe area from which you can operate discreetly and unmolested?’
    Aetius grinned, displaying yellowing teeth. ‘Somewhere I can sleep easy at nights?’
    â€˜My friend, everyone in the South Quirinal sleeps easy at night.’
    It was almost the sixth hour of the day by the time that Magnus, Sextus and Marius reached the baths of Agrippa; but this was a perfect time to run into, as if by accident, the sort of people Magnus needed to see. For all those in the city who followed a regular work pattern, be it trade or political, the working day ran from the first hour to the eighth or ninth. After that there was time to relax before the main meal of the day towards the end of the afternoon. Consequently, after the eighth hour, the baths filled up with a different kind of clientele from those who frequented them earlier in the day. But it was the early arrivals that Magnus wanted to mingle with: the men who did not have a regular working pattern, men who did not do physical trade or politics but, rather, men who dealt in other commodities, the same commodities that Magnus dealt in – fear and protection. Men who could afford to while away the morning in the comforts of Rome’s public baths.
    Having stripped and handed their clothes to one of the many slaves in the vestibule for safekeeping and received linen towels in return, Magnus led his brothers into the main hall of the baths where men exercised, relaxed, received massages, had their body hair removed and muscles massaged, or just strolled about chatting, scheming or gossiping.
    â€˜Have a wander round and keep your eyes out for any members of the Suburra or Via Sacra Brotherhoods, lads,’ Magnus muttered as he looked around