Rome in Flames by Kathy Lee Page B

And what about money?
    â€˜I still haven’t managed to steal anything,’ I said.
    â€˜Just take whatever you can find tomorrow,’ said Conan. ‘But be careful. Don’t get caught.’
    I decided to steal the little ornament that Rufus had pointed out. It was carved out of white stuff called ivory, in the shape of a horse and rider. The carving, which was beautifully detailed, looked foreign somehow. Perhaps it had been made in a far-away land, then brought to Rome by traders and sold for a high price.
    I wouldn’t take it until the last possible moment. Eventually, someone would notice the empty shelf – but if the gods were with me, I would be well out of reach before that happened.
    If the gods were with me . . . There was one god who definitely would not approve of my plan – Tiro’s god. But I pushed that thought to the back of my mind. I had to steal something. How else could we get money for our journey?
    Waking up early next morning, I slid out of the dormitory before anyone else had even stirred. No one saw me take the ivory figure from the shelf. It was small enough to slip easily into Manius’s leather schoolbag.
    Although I was far too nervous to feel hungry, I forced myself to eat a good breakfast. It might be a long time before my next proper meal. Looking around, I realized that if all went well, I would never see any of these people again. I would miss Rufus and Clemens. And Tiro – where was Tiro?
    When I asked, Pallas said, ‘He drove the master to Laurentum yesterday. They’ll be back tonight.’
    So there was no chance of seeing Tiro again. Well, perhaps it was better that way.
    Manius and I left the house as usual. By now, there was no need for a candle to light our way, for the days were getting longer. Conan was right – we shouldn’t delay. Summer would be the best time of year for our journey.
    â€˜Why are you walking so fast?’ Manius complained. ‘There’s no hurry. You know I don’t like school.’
    I slowed my pace a little, wondering just how much time I had before someone noticed the missing statue. When they did notice, who would get the blame for it? Theon might report what Rufus had said. Rufus would deny everything, and probably put the blame on me.
    At last we reached the school. I gave Manius his writing things, keeping hold of the bag – it might come in useful on the journey. I sat down in my usual place on the steps outside. As soon as the lessons were under way, I got up again. ‘Just going to the toilet,’ I muttered to one of the other attendants.
    Conan was waiting at the corner of the street. He looked relieved to see me. I showed him the ivory carving.
    â€˜I know someone who’ll pay good money for it,’ I said.
    â€˜Do we have time?’ Conan asked. ‘Maybe we should take it with us and sell it later. I’ve got a bit of money already – Crispus gave me some.’
    â€˜If we sell it in Rome, we’ll get a better price,’ I said.
    Conan didn’t argue, even though I could see he just wanted to get out of Rome at once. He let me lead him to the street of goldsmiths, and the shop where I’d sold the bracelet.
    The two brothers remembered me. They came forward, all smiles, but when I took out the ivory horseman, the smiles turned to frowns.
    â€˜Sorry. We do not buy ivory,’ the older one said.
    â€˜Only silver and gold,’ said his brother. ‘Ivory is no use to us. We can’t melt it down and make new, you see.’
    â€˜But it must be very valuable,’ I said. ‘Look how fine the carving is. I bet there isn’t another like this in the whole of Rome.’
    The brothers raised their eyebrows. ‘So we buy it and try to sell it. Then the real owner sees it. Then what?’
    â€˜Sorry,’ said the other. ‘We can’t buy it. Bring us some gold instead.’
    I tried to hide my dismay. ‘Oh