cer was absolutely incredulous, as to the
story he had heard; and indignant in the extreme at what he
considered the audacity of the falsehood. Still, he could not but
be struck by the calmness with which John told the story, nor could
he see what motive he could have in inventing it. Its falsity
would, of course, be made apparent the instant he arrived in Rome;
whereas had he said, as was doubtless the truth, that he had
obtained the ring from one who had stolen it from Titus, he might
have obtained his freedom, and a reward for its restoration.

After thinking the matter over for a time, he ordered his horse and
rode into the city. One of the legions from Palestine had returned
there, while two had accompanied Titus to Rome, and a fourth had
remained in Judea. Tibellus rode at once to the headquarters of the
commander of the legion. He had just returned, with some of his
officers, from a parade of the troops. They had taken off their
armour, and a slave was pouring wine into goblets for them.

"Ah, Tibellus!" he said, "Is it you? Drink, my friend, and tell us
what ails you, for in truth you look angered and hot."

"I have been angered, by one of my slaves," Tibellus said.

"Then there is no trouble in that," the Roman said, with a smile;
"throw him to the fishes, and buy another. They are cheap enough,
for we have flooded the world with slaves and, as we know to our
cost, they are scarce saleable. We have brought two or three
thousand with us, and can get no bid for them."

"Yes, but this matter can't be settled so," Tibellus said; "but
first, I want to ask you a question or two. You heard, of course,
of John of Gamala, in your wars in Judea?"

There was a chorus of assent.

"That did we, indeed, to our cost," the general said; "save the two
leaders in Jerusalem, he was the most dangerous; and was by far the
most troublesome of our foes. Many a score of sleepless nights has
that fellow caused us; from the time he well-nigh burnt all our
camp before Gamala, he was a thorn in our side. One never knew
where he was, or when to expect him. One day we heard of him
attacking a garrison at the other end of the country, and the next
night he would fall upon our camp. We never marched through a
ravine, without expecting to see him and his men appearing on the
hills, and sending the rocks thundering down among us; and the
worst of it was, do what we would, we could never get to close
quarters with him. His men could mar