[Sketches New and Old by Mark Twain]@TWC D-Link bookSketches New and Old CHAPTER VI 119/161
But at last, when Caesar saw his old friend Brutus step forward armed with a murderous knife, it is said he seemed utterly overpowered with grief and amazement, and, dropping his invincible left arm by his side, he hid his face in the folds of his mantle and received the treacherous blow without an effort to stay the hand that gave it.
He only said, "Et tu, Brute ?" and fell lifeless on the marble pavement. We learn that the coat deceased had on when he was killed was the same one he wore in his tent on the afternoon of the day he overcame the Nervii, and that when it was removed from the corpse it was found to be cut and gashed in no less than seven different places.
There was nothing in the pockets.
It will be exhibited at the coroner's inquest, and will be damning proof of the fact of the killing.
These latter facts may be relied on, as we get them from Mark Antony, whose position enables him to learn every item of news connected with the one subject of absorbing interest of-to-day. LATER: While the coroner was summoning a jury, Mark Antony and other friends of the late Caesar got hold of the body, and lugged it off to the Forum, and at last accounts Antony and Brutus were making speeches over it and raising such a row among the people that, as we go to press, the chief of police is satisfied there is going to be a riot, and is taking measures accordingly. THE WIDOW'S PROTEST One of the saddest things that ever came under my notice (said the banker's clerk) was there in Corning during the war.
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