 Unable to take the city by force of arms, Tarquin resorted to another stratagem.His son, Sextus, pretending to be ill-treated by his father, and covered with the bloody marks of stripes, fled to Gabii.The infatuated inhabitants entrusted him with the command of their troops, and when he had obtained the unlimited confidence of the citizens, he sent a messenger to his father to inquire how he should deliver the city into his hands.