Salinator

Salinator nodded, this time more vigorously, even happily, and with a certain professional pride.

Imperium Robert Harris 2006

“Five hundred for consul,” replied Salinator, as if he were selling pigs at market.

Imperium Robert Harris 2006

“Is that it?” he said when Salinator had finished.

Imperium Robert Harris 2006

With a straight face he thanked Salinator for his honesty, then told Quintus to have a cup of wine and calm down, and me to gather up our silver.

Imperium Robert Harris 2006

Salinator, who was a flabby, lank-haired, potbellied creature, watched this for a while, then said to Ranunculus, That seems well enough.

Imperium Robert Harris 2006

Ranunculus came rushing in to see Cicero with the news that he had found a bribery agent named Gaius Salinator, who claimed to be in a position to sell three hundred votes for five hundred sesterces apiece.

Imperium Robert Harris 2006

Salinator had just begun to whine that he knew nothing when suddenly the sequester dropped his scales and made a dive for the staircase.

Imperium Robert Harris 2006

Needless to say, Salinator recognized him at once, and stepped back in alarm, crashing into the sequester and his scales.

Imperium Robert Harris 2006

“Cosconius,” said Salinator, casting a nervous glance at the figure writhing on the floor.

Imperium Robert Harris 2006

Ranunculus stepped inside and led us behind the counter and up some narrow wooden stairs to a raftered room, where Salinator was waiting, along with another man, the sequester, whose name I never learned.

Imperium Robert Harris 2006