. "Come, Judas," said
he, "take the thirty pieces of silver and play the man," counting the
coins out on a stone table so that they chinked merrily as they fell.

Judas snatched them up eagerly, testing them now and then to see if
they were genuine, and then transferred them piece by piece with
feverish haste to his bag, which he tied up when filled and replaced in
his girdle. Then, resuming his place on the left of the judgment seat,
he exclaimed: "You can rely upon my word."

"But," said the priests, "the work must be accomplished before the
feast."

Judas answered and said: "Even now the fairest opportunity offers
itself. This very night he shall be in your hands. Give me an armed
band so that he can be duly surrounded and every road of escape cut
off."

Then said Annas, who up to now had not broken silence: "Let us send
with him the Temple Watch."

"Yes, yes," cried all the priests, "let us order them to go."

Caiaphas said: "It would also be advisable to send some members of the
Holy Sanhedrin with them."

Half the assembly sprang to their feet crying: "We are ready."

Caiaphas said: "If the choice is left to me I appoint Nathan, Josaphat,
Solomon and Ptolomaus." Each of the four, as he was named, rose and
bowed low.

Then, Caiaphas, turning to Judas, said: "But, Judas, how will the band
be able to distinguish the Master in the darkness?"

Judas answered: "They must come with torches and lanterns and I will
give them a sign."

"Excellent, Judas," cried the priests in approving chorus.

"Now," said Judas, "I will hasten away to spy out everything. Then I
will come back to fetch the armed men."

"I will go with you, Judas," said Dathan, "and will not leave your side
until this work is finished."

"At the gate of Bethpage I will meet your people," said Judas, as he
departed, taking with him Dathan and the four priests to accompany him.

When they had left the Sanhedrin Caiaphas addressed the assembly: "All
goes admirably, venerable fathers, but now we are called to look the
great question frankly in the face. What shall we do with this man
when God has delivered him into our hands?"

Then: said Zadok: "Let us throw him into the deepest and darkest of
dungeons and keep him well watched and laden down with chains. Let him
be buried while still alive."

This, however, did not please Caiaphas, so using the full might of his
eloquence and authority he continued: "Which of you would guarantee