Fabia had connected this gang and its chieftain with Dumnorix and the remnant of his gladiators, who escaped after their disastrous affray at Praeneste.

As for Publius Gabinius, who had on one occasion given her such distress, nothing had been heard or seen of him since the Praeneste affair.

It was generally believed, however, that he was still with Dumnorix.

And a few days before the panic in the city, Fabia had received a letter.

A strange slave had left it at the Atrium Vestae, and had gone away without explanations.