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Again a breath of silence, in which Manius thought of the black leopard when he lay making those playful and caressing movements on the floor. And there came to the heart of Ben Joreb a fear that this man might prove more terrible than his father. "We feel it," said Manius, with inner smiles that showed not upon his face. "Then be servants of my love." "And of our own welfare?" "Certainly!
Not a word, Manius, after we leave this door. In yon passage turn to the right. Walk until your head touches the ceiling, then creep to the door. Open it and use your ears. If no one is passing, go straight ahead. You will come to a gate on the Via Sacra. You," he added, turning to Ben Joreb, "shall leave by the main gate."
Then a rattle of bolts and the door swung open. "Now," Antipater whispered, "are you of the same mind?" "I am." "And again you swear secrecy?" "I do." Without more delay they entered a room walled with white marble and lighted by candles. A bearded Jew, in a scarlet cloak embroidered with gold, rose to greet them. "To John ben Joreb I present the noble Manius," said Antipater.
"I have been talking with Manius," Antipater answered. "He thinks it would be a mercy to " He was interrupted again. That tremulous, awful cry for mercy found its way to his ear. It seemed to mock the sacred word. Antipater jumped to his feet, cursing. "I will put an end to that," said he, rushing to the door and flinging it back and running down the passage. Manius turned to Ben Joreb.
He concealed her in a closet, contenting himself with a furtive glance at her now and then. He set up in his fancy a giant of benevolent face, and humbly sought his favor. Still he had no success. Lying at table one night with Manius and Ben Joreb, he sought counsel of the latter. "He that hath his prayer hath prayed wisely," said the priest. "You have much to learn."
"I was saying to you, good Manius, that my friend here, Ben Joreb, would think it a great mercy to remove him." "A great mercy!" Ben Joreb answered; "a man's mercy to him; a God's mercy to his people." "And what think you?" said Antipater, turning to Manius. "I agree; 'twould be a mercy, but a risky enterprise," said the Roman.
"Blessings of the one God be upon thee," said Ben Joreb, bowing low. "And the favor of many gods on thee," said the assessor. "From Jerusalem?" "Nay, from Damascus." Antipater stirred the fire in iron braziers on either side of the room, and then bade them recline beside him at a small table whereon a supper waited. "Ben Joreb has good news of our plan," said he, turning to Manius.
You shall each have a palace in Jerusalem and fifty thousand aurei; and you, Manius, shall command the forces on land and sea, and you, John ben Joreb, of the tribe of Aaron, shall be high-priest." "I agree," said Manius, an overwhelming cupidity in the words.
"It prospers," said the priest. "Our council is now in thirty cities." "And the king is better," said Manius. "He will not soon perish of infirmity." "But you tell me that my father suffers?" Antipater started nervously. A long, weird wail from the Arab dying on a cross in the garden flooded down the flues. "A hundred deaths a day," said Ben Joreb.
Then the old lion may spring his trap, and who, save Ben Joreb, will know that I ever sat with traitors. And as for the priest, I shall warn him. I know that he is weary of Antipater and will take a share in the new enterprise." It was the day before the nones of November in Rome. The emperor had returned to his palace after opening the Ludi Plebeii.
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