Suspects were arrested and interrogated under torture, forced to name other "pagans". Soon Theophilus had lists of names, including prominent citizens spread throughout the eastern provinces of the Byzantine Empire. The persecution spread to the rest of these provinces. Theophilus was searching for Rufinus, a high priest of the pagans, who "had lately gone on a visit to Anatolius". Theophilus followed the man to Edessa. He claimed to have interrupted a sacrifice to Zeus/Jupiter taking place within the city. John of Ephesus relates, "On their arrival they [Theophilus and his escort] learned that he [Rufinus] was dwelling there, and having waited for night, upon surrounding the house in order to arrest him, they found a feast of Zeus actually being celebrated by the heathens, and people assembled together with Rufinus to offer sacrifices. On becoming aware, however, that they were endeavouring to surround the house, those present took the alarm, and fled. But Rufinus knowing well that he had no place of refuge to which he could escape, drew his knife, and smote it into his heart, and having given himself also a wound in the abdomen, fell down dead." Theophilus captured "a gouty old man, too feeble to flee, and an old woman". The two were interrogated under threat of death, forced to declare "the names of all who had taken part in these proceedings". They supposedly named several people, but only Anatolius is named in primary sources. Anatolius reportedly tried to create an alibi for himself. He hastily dressed himself in the typical clothes of a traveller (travelling coat, leather leggings and walking shoes) and then made a late-night visit to the residence of the Bishop of Edessa, pretending to have just returned from a journey. He hoped that the Bishop would testify about his supposed journey. Anatolius' trick failed. He was soon arrested and forced to give surety to appear in Antioch for his trial. John of Ephesus explains: "For just as he [Anatolius] left the bishop's presence, those who had been sent to arrest him met him, and laid hands upon him, and said, 'Come peaceably with us, my lord governor: we are greatly in need of your highness: give orders for bailsmen to be put in for you at a talent apiece, that within ten days you appear at Antioch.'