osen
people."

Then came in to Annas, Judas and the four Pharisees, who had been sent
by the council to accompany him, crying, "Long live our high priest!"

Nathanael exclaimed, "The wish of the council is accomplished."

Annas said, "Oh, I must embrace you for joy. So, then, our plan has
succeeded. Judas, thy name shall take an honorable place in our
annals. Even before the feast shall the Galilean die."

Judas, whom the Pharisees had brought in with the prisoner, startled by
that word, sprang back, repeating incredulously, "Die!"

"His death is declared!" said Annas.

"For his life and blood," cried Judas, "I will not be responsible."

"That is unnecessary," said Annas coolly, "he is in our power."

"But," persisted Judas passionately, "I have not delivered him over to
you for that."

"Thou hast delivered him over," said the Pharisees, "and the rest is
our business."

Repulsed on every side, Judas, striking his forehead with his hand,
cried, "Woe is me; what have I done? Shall he die? No! That I did
not wish. That I will not have."

As he hurried into the street the Pharisees laughed at him and said,
"Whether thou wilt have it or not, die he must."

Then said the priests to Annas, "High priest, the prisoner is at the
threshold."

Annas said, "Let Selpha, with as many of the watch as are necessary,
bring him up here, while the rest await him below." Then was Jesus
brought before Annas on the balcony in custody with Selpha, the leader
of the Temple Watch and the two servants of the temple, Malchus and
Balbus, holding the cords by which Jesus was bound. The rest of the
watch remained in the street below.

Selpha bowed low as he entered and said, "High priest, in accordance
with thy command the prisoner now stands at thy bar."

When Annas saw Jesus he said, "Have you brought him alone as prisoner?"

Balbus answered, "His disciples dispersed like timid sheep."

Selpha said, "We did not find it worth the trouble to arrest them.
Nevertheless Malchus almost lost his life."

"How did that happen?" asked Annas.

"One of his followers," said Selpha, "with a drawn sword smote him and
cut off his ear."

"How could that be?" said Annas, looking first at one side of Malchus'
head and then at the other. "It has left no mark; there is nothing to
be seen."

"Oh," said Balbus, mocking, "the magician has conjured it back again."

"What sayest thou to that?" asked Annas. Malchus replied seriously, "I