Of one thing he was certain: to intercept Phaon was to deprive Dumnorix of an essential ally; but how to intercept the wily freedman was nothing easy.
As the Numidian swept into Gabii, Agias drew rein, telling himself that the horse would make better speed for a little rest and baiting.
The tavern court into which he rode was exceedingly filthy; the whole building was in a state of decay; the odours were indescribable.

In the great public-room a carter was trolling a coarse ditty, while through the doorway ran a screaming serving-maid to escape some low familiarity.
A shock-headed boy with a lantern took Agias's bridle, and the Greek alighted; almost under his eyes the dim light fell on a handsome, two-horse gig, standing beside the entrance to the court.

Agias gave the vehicle close attention.
"It belongs to a gentleman from Rome, now inside," explained the boy, "one horse went lame, and the veterinary[103] is coming." Agias's eye caught a very peculiar bend in the hollow in the neck-yoke.

He had seen that carriage before, on the fashionable boulevards--along the Tiber, in the Campus Martius--the carriage of Lucius Ahenobarbus.
Phaon was waiting in the tavern! [103] _Equarius_.
"Care for my horse at once," remarked Agias, a little abruptly.

"Time presses." And he turned on his heel, and leaving the boy gaping after him, went into the squalid public-room of the tavern.
The landlord of the establishment, a small, red-faced, bustling man, was fussing over some lean thrushes roasting on a spit before the open fire that was roaring on the hearth.