, Sidrach and Missel, came upon the balcony. "I can find no rest
this night," said Annas, looking impatiently down the street, "until I
know that this disturber of the peace is in our hands. Oh, if he were
only safe, and in fetters. Full of longing and anxiety I await the
arrival of my servants with the joyful news."

Then said Esdras, "They cannot be much longer, for it is a good while
since they went away."

"In vain has my troubled gaze looked up and down the street of Kedron.
But nothing can I see and nothing hear. Go, my Esdras, go toward the
Kedron gate and see."

"I will hasten out," said Esdras, hurrying away as quickly as his
short, squat figure would allow.

Annas, walking about impatiently, tormented by misgivings as to the
success of the enterprise, began: "It would be a blow to the Sanhedrin
if this time the work should not succeed."

Sidrach said, "Do not give away to anxiety, high priest," and Missel
added, "There is no doubt of our success."

Annas, heeding not the consolation of his priests, said, "They may have
altered their way and returned through the Siola Gate. I must send to
see also on that side."

Sidrach said, "If the high priest wishes it I will go to the Siola
Gate."

"Yes, do," said Annas, "but first see whether anyone comes through the
street of the Sanhedrin."

"I will not loiter, my lord," said Sidrach, as he disappeared in the
darkness.

Annas resumed his troubled thoughts. "The night is going by, and still
the old uncertainty. Every minute of this weary waiting time is as an
hour to me. Hark, I think some one comes running! Yes, he comes.
Surely there will be good tidings."

Sidrach, bursting into the presence of the high priest, exclaimed, "My
lord, Esdras comes in haste. I saw him just now running down the
street with rapid foot."

Then said Annas, "Surely it is joyful news that he brings since he
hastens so. Truly, I long for nothing now but the death of this
malefactor."

Then came Esdras, breathless with haste, crying, "Hail to the high
priest. I have seen the fathers who were sent to Judas. All has gone
according to your wish. The Galilean is in bonds. I heard it from
their mouth, and hurried as fast as I could to bring the joyful news in
haste to thee."

Annas cried, "Oh, heavenly message! Auspicious hour! A stone is
lifted from my heart; I feel as if I were born again. Now for the
first time can I rejoice to call myself high priest of the ch