1 00:00:07,067 --> 00:00:12,690 The man tapped the hammer gently on something small and blue. 2 00:00:12,691 --> 00:00:15,871 The children heard something breaking. 3 00:00:15,872 --> 00:00:20,074 "Is he Master Antonius?" asked Vinnie. 4 00:00:20,075 --> 00:00:23,463 "Oh no, this man is a mosaic artist," 5 00:00:23,464 --> 00:00:26,729 said Varius, pointing to the floor. 6 00:00:26,730 --> 00:00:30,081 It was a mosaic of animals and fish. 7 00:00:30,082 --> 00:00:33,341 They examined the mosaic closer. 8 00:00:33,342 --> 00:00:38,801 Little pieces of pottery were stuck together to create a picture. 9 00:00:38,802 --> 00:00:42,735 "That's amazing!" cried Mandy. 10 00:00:42,736 --> 00:00:49,479 A servant finally came and led them to a courtyard in the center of the house. 11 00:00:49,480 --> 00:00:54,601 "This is different from Melus' house," remarked Mandy. 12 00:00:54,602 --> 00:00:56,220 A man appeared. 13 00:00:56,221 --> 00:00:58,468 He wore a large ring. 14 00:00:58,469 --> 00:01:02,554 "Varius!" said the man. 15 00:01:02,555 --> 00:01:05,547 "What's the matter? Be quick, boy. 16 00:01:05,548 --> 00:01:09,015 I must get to the games soon." 17 00:01:09,016 --> 00:01:14,144 "Master Antonius, Aquila is in danger," warned Varius. 18 00:01:14,145 --> 00:01:17,087 "Today's race will not be a fair one." 19 00:01:17,088 --> 00:01:22,954 He told Antonius what Mandy had overheard in the bathhouse. 20 00:01:22,955 --> 00:01:27,807 "Poisoning the horses?" said Master Antonius. 21 00:01:27,808 --> 00:01:31,070 "Horrible! You are sure of this?" 22 00:01:31,071 --> 00:01:35,555 "Brutus wants to win very badly," said Varius. 23 00:01:35,556 --> 00:01:38,139 "He should be watched carefully." 24 00:01:38,140 --> 00:01:44,069 "I'll have extra guards put near the stable," Master Antonius said. 25 00:01:44,070 --> 00:01:49,535 "Thank you!" cried Varius, as he and the children left. 26 00:01:49,536 --> 00:01:54,354 "Now what do we do, Varius?" asked Mandy. 27 00:01:54,355 --> 00:01:57,142 "We'll go to the Circus Maximus. 28 00:01:57,143 --> 00:01:59,469 The race will begin soon. 29 00:01:59,470 --> 00:02:03,537 We have done all that we can," Varius said. 30 00:02:03,538 --> 00:02:06,537 They walked slowly down the road. 31 00:02:06,538 --> 00:02:10,204 A large crowd was walking ahead of them. 32 00:02:10,205 --> 00:02:14,812 "Are they all going to the race?" asked Vinnie. 33 00:02:14,813 --> 00:02:18,342 "Oh yes, people love the chariot races. 34 00:02:18,343 --> 00:02:22,672 Everyone comes to watch and bet on them," said Varius. 35 00:02:22,673 --> 00:02:26,945 They followed the crowd into a large arena. 36 00:02:26,946 --> 00:02:32,350 "Whoa!" Vinnie and Mandy cried together. 37 00:02:32,351 --> 00:02:37,508 The Circus Maximus was a huge arena with many seats. 38 00:02:37,509 --> 00:02:41,298 In the middle of the track was a long stage. 39 00:02:41,299 --> 00:02:45,101 The stage had a huge tower in the middle. 40 00:02:45,102 --> 00:02:48,555 At both ends of the stage were posts. 41 00:02:48,556 --> 00:02:51,676 Metal objects were on a thick bar. 42 00:02:51,677 --> 00:02:56,005 "Vinnie! The photo!" Mandy shouted. 43 00:02:56,006 --> 00:02:58,544 "The old man was here!" 44 00:02:58,545 --> 00:03:00,687 Vinnie took out the photo. 45 00:03:00,688 --> 00:03:03,077 It was glowing blue. 46 00:03:03,078 --> 00:03:08,059 "You're right!" he cried. "But what are they?" 47 00:03:08,060 --> 00:03:11,545 He pointed to the objects on the bar. 48 00:03:11,546 --> 00:03:15,612 "There are seven of them . . . " Mandy counted. 49 00:03:15,613 --> 00:03:17,934 "I think they are dolphins! 50 00:03:17,935 --> 00:03:21,576 But what are they for, Varius?" 51 00:03:21,577 --> 00:03:27,401 "One dolphin is turned up every time the racers go around the track," said Varius. 52 00:03:27,402 --> 00:03:30,148 "Each time around the track is a lap. 53 00:03:30,149 --> 00:03:34,819 The dolphins let the racers know how many laps they have to go." 54 00:03:34,820 --> 00:03:39,177 Just then a tall man walked over to them. 55 00:03:39,178 --> 00:03:42,618 He looked down at Vinnie and Mandy. 56 00:03:42,619 --> 00:03:51,711 "I am Aquila. Are you the children who saved my life?"