he
Tiber ... A tunic worked by him is softer than the fleeciest wool, and
the sheath of a dagger becomes in his hands as hard as steel.... Good
health and strength, two thousand sesterces were a poor price to pay for
the use of these skilled hands.... Two thousand sesterces.... His
lordship's grace, the censor Arminius Quirinius paid four thousand for
him...."

He paused a moment whilst a couple of Jews from Galilee, in long dark
robes and black caps covering their shaggy hair, turned critically round
this paragon from Hispania, lifted his hands and gazed on each
finger-tip as if trying to find traces on these of that much-vaunted
skill.

"Two thousand sesterces, kind sirs, and you will have at your disposal
the talent of a master in the noble art of leather working; pouches and
coverings for your chairs, caskets and sword-hilts, nothing comes amiss
to him.... Come! shall we say two thousand sesterces?"

The Jews were hesitating. With a rapid glance of their keen, deep-set
eyes they consulted one with the other, whilst their long bony fingers
wandered hesitatingly to the wallets at their belts.

"Two thousand sesterces!" urged the auctioneer, as he looked with marked
severity on the waverers.

He himself received a percentage on the proceeds of the sale, a few
sesterces mayhap that would go to swell the little hoard which
ultimately would purchase freedom. The scribes stilet in hand waited in
patient silence. The praefect, indifferent to the whole transaction, was
staring straight in front of him, like one whose thoughts are strangers
to his will.

"One thousand we'll give," said one of the Jews timidly.

"Nay! an you'll not give more, kind sirs," quoth the auctioneer airily,
"this paragon among leather workers will bring fortune to your rival
dealers...."

"One thousand," repeated one of the intending purchasers, "and no more."

The African tried persuasion, contempt, even lofty scorn; he threatened
to withdraw the paragon from the sale altogether, for he knew of a
dealer in leather goods over in Corinth who would give two fingers of
his own hand for the exclusive use of those belonging to this Hispanian
treasure.

But the Jews were obstinate. With the timid obstinacy peculiar to their
race, they stuck to their point and refused to be enticed into
purposeless extravagance.

In the end the wonderful worker in leather was sold to the Jew traders
from Galilee for the sum of one thousand sesterces; his dark