The first friend he met on the street was Calvus, the young poet and orator.
"Have you heard the news from Praeneste ?" began Calvus.
"News?
What news ?" "Why, how Dumnorix's gang of gladiators attacked the villa of your distant relative, Quintus Drusus, and were beaten off, while they tried to murder him.

A most daring attempt! But you will hear all about it.

I have a case at the courts and cannot linger." And Calvus was gone, leaving Ahenobarbus as though he had been cudgelled into numbness.

With a great effort he collected himself.
After all, Dumnorix's gladiators were nothing to him.

And when later he found that neither Dumnorix, nor Gabinius, nor Phaon had been taken or slain at Praeneste, he breathed the easier.