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yesterday. Both of
you.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    The man hurried off to solve a dispute
between two other workmen.
    “I don’t want to get you in trouble,
Secundus,” Paulus said, in a low voice. “But if there’s anything
you want to know, we can talk when we leave here.”
    Secundus nodded, and turned his attention to
his task. Paulus continued shoveling sand, wondering if he should
be concerned about the summons. Others looked at him curiously. He
began to feel as though he’d been singled out, somehow, and it made
him uneasy. He was reasonably certain the guard at the gate had
reported seeing him the other night, so that meant whatever
authorities might be looking for him were aware that he was in
Rome. Fortunately Rome had over a million inhabitants, so he
wouldn’t be easy to find. Nor did he feel God urging him to
leave…he’d always known before when it was time to depart from a
town or city, and journey to another.
    He had the distinct feeling he would never
leave Rome.
    The contractor, Martinus, arrived with his
retinue of engineers and expert stonemasons; they all went into a
small wooden building that would serve as an office while this
section of the aqueduct was being constructed. Paulus put down the
shovel and wiped sweat out of his eyes. As he walked toward the
building, everyone except Martinus came out and began inspecting
the work that had been done yesterday.
    Paulus knocked on the door and heard the
contractor call for him to enter. Martinus stood before a long
table over which were spread numerous maps and drawings.
    “Antonius. Come here.” The man was all
business, having no time for personal exchanges. He was of average
height, with gray hair and faded blue eyes that were always
reddened and tired looking.
    “As you know, the Roman government has hired
me to oversee the supply and building of this portion of the
aqueduct. There has been disagreement among the engineers about
certain calculations. Your foreman has good things to say about
you, that you have given him sound advice on occasion and seem to
be very knowledgeable.”
    Paulus answered hesitantly, “Thank you, sir.
I studied engineering in my youth.”
    “Just as I thought. You know how to use the
instruments, how to measure angles. You know that the grade of the
channels must be perfect.”
    “Yes.” Paulus was having a tremendous sinking
feeling.
    “I want you to look at these figures. Then we
will all confer together and decide who is right and who is wrong.
At that time I will probably hire you as one of my engineers.”
    His mind raced ahead to all the ramifications
of what the contractor proposed. Meetings with other engineers,
with men of great skill and learning, with government officials…and
he, Paulus, had once been prefect of the city! Surely he would come
face to face with someone who had known him in those days. As a
common worker he was secluded, never going near the professional
men…although he could examine their faces from a distance to
assure himself they were unknown to him.
    How foolish he’d been to offer his
opinions—pure vanity and pride!
    Paulus bowed slightly. “I am honored, sir. I
would be glad to serve you by looking at the calculations that have
been made, but my opinion will matter little. I am not as skilled
as you believe.”
    “I’m told you prevented us from making a very
serious error. You are obviously a learned man, Antonius. I assume
you have fallen on hard times, or perhaps you were made a slave and
have been freed. This seems to be an opportunity for you to rise
above your circumstances.”
    “Again, sir, you overestimate me. I chose
another way of life and have little experience with engineering. It
was only by chance that I discovered this error, and I’m still not
certain that my advice was adequate.”
    “So—you are refusing the position?”
    “I am not worthy of such responsibility. I
would prefer to remain where I am.”
    The faded blue eyes bore into his, and