The Lygian could not have effected it alone; he must have had help.

And where could a slave find so many people in the course of one day ?" "Slaves help one another in Rome." "Some person pays for that with blood at times.

True, they support one another, but not some against others.

In this case it was known that responsibility and punishment would fall on thy people.

If thou give thy people the idea of evil spirits, they will say at once that they saw such with their own eyes, because that will justify them in thy sight.
Ask one of them, as a test, if he did not see spirits carrying off Lygia through the air, he will swear at once by the aegis of Zeus that he saw them." Vinicius, who was superstitious also, looked at Petronius with sudden and great fear.
"If Ursus could not have men to help him, and was not able to take her alone, who could take her ?" Petronius began to laugh.
"See," said he, "they will believe, since thou art half a believer thyself.