to the light the woman said loudly: "Wait a
minute! Aren't you one of this Galilean's followers?"

Peter froze with fear. "No!" he snapped, and plunged through the gate to
get away from her. Sweat stood out on his forehead. A narrow escape!

Peter was relieved that the large courtyard of the high priest's palace
was so crowded. He shrank into a shadowed corner and anxiously searched
for Jesus. In this great house met the Sanhedrin, the great council of
all the rulers of the Jews. Peter saw the rough soldier who had knocked
him down standing outside the door. Jesus must be inside! There was
nothing to do but wait.

Peter began to feel cold. Near the center of the yard several men had
built a charcoal fire. Peter was tempted to warm his hands, but
immediately gave up the idea: these very men had seen him in the Garden!
He walked back and forth in the shadows, but it did not help much: his
feet were getting numb. He wished he had never come into the courtyard.
If he tried to get out, the woman would see him.

Fifteen minutes passed. What was happening in the priest's dark palace?
Peter shivered and pulled his coat tight around him. How good that fire
would feel! At last he could stand it no longer. Taking care to keep the
firelight from shining on his face, he went nearer.

"How long will it take to condemn him?" Peter heard one of the men ask
impatiently.

"It won't be long," answered another. He was in the uniform of the high
priest's servants.

"Too bad his disciples got away!" growled the first. "I would like to
get hold of that one that struck Malchus with his sword!" A man came out
of the palace and joined the others around the fire.

"He's a stubborn fellow!" exclaimed the man. "He won't answer any
questions!"

"What about the witnesses?" inquired a man who had not spoken before.

The other laughed. "They tell different stories! They can't agree on
what the Galilean said!"

"Don't worry," said the high priest's servant confidently. "No matter
what happens, they won't let him get away now." The last spark of hope
in Peter died. The priests were determined to kill Jesus. The end had
come. Peter did not notice that the man in front of him had moved so
that the firelight shone directly on his face.

"Say! Weren't you with that Galilean?" Like a thunderbolt the question
struck Peter. He stiffened with terror and cursed himself for having
dared to come near the fire. "Of course not!" he answered gruffly, and