backed away. The man who had seen him strike Malchus with his sword had
not heard the question. Peter sighed. His luck could not last much
longer.

A group of people were going through the gate. Perhaps he could slip out
without being noticed. The priest who had got him in here had
disappeared. A cry went up at the door of the palace. Guards were coming
out of the priests' council room!

Suddenly Jesus stood in the doorway. Peter's throat went dry. What had
they done to his Master? His face was swollen from many blows. It
glistened wet in the firelight--they had spit on him! Jesus stumbled as
he came down the short stone staircase. A rough fellow kicked him. "Get
along there!" He laughed coarsely. Pity flooded through Peter, then rage
at the man who had hurt Jesus.

"What is the verdict?" A man was speaking to Peter.

"The verdict?" Peter mumbled the words stupidly. Another man answered
the question.

"He is doomed to die."

Peter looked from one to the other. "Die?"

"Yes. They are going to ask Pilate to sentence him to death."

The others looked at Peter curiously. Someone grabbed him roughly by the
shoulder.

"Say, you! Didn't I see you in the olive orchard?" A guard! He waved to
the others. "Come over here! Here is one of the Galileans. Listen to his
accent!"

Like icy water, fear swept Peter's daze away. Faces full of scorn
surrounded him. Panic-stricken, Peter wrenched loose.

"In the name of God, I never even heard of this Jesus!" he swore. "What
are you talking about?" Then a shrill sound caught Peter's ear. The
words stopped in his throat. Outside the wall a rooster was crowing.
Peter's lips were open, but no sound came from them. He was staring at
the man who had accused him, but he didn't see him. The flush of anger
and panic drained from his face. Jesus had heard.

With terrible dread, Peter watched his Master turn. Their eyes met. Time
stood still. Peter forgot everyone else: there were just the two of
them. Master and cursing disciple. The sadness in Jesus' eyes burned
through Peter. "Do you betray me too, Peter?" the Master seemed to say.

"Come on! Get going!" A guard slapped Jesus heavily. Driven by the rough
men, Jesus went out of the gate.

Like a sleepwalker, Peter followed. The guards did not try to stop him.
The servant woman at the gate did not notice him. For an instant he
stood in the street watching the men take Jesus away. The gate closed
behind him. Then the terrible dream