d out a country
fellow who was hunting for mushrooms or something--I forget what--in a
gully a mile away, and saw this interesting youth hide himself there
and shoot that Jewish plunderer with a bow and arrow. More--he has found
another man who saw the said Caleb an hour or two before help himself
to an arrow out of one of the Jew's quivers, which arrow appears to be
identical with, or at any rate, similar to, that which was found in the
fellow's gullet. Therefore, it seems that Caleb is guilty, and that it
will be my duty to-morrow to place him under arrest, and in due course
to convey him to Jerusalem, where the priests will attend to his little
business. Now, Lady Miriam, is your curiosity satisfied about Caleb?"

"Oh," she said, "it cannot be, it must not be! The man had struck him
and he did but return a blow for a blow."

"An arrow for a blow, you mean; the point of a spear for the push of its
handle. But, Lady Miriam, you seem to be very deep in the confidence of
Caleb. How do you come to know all this?"

"I don't know, I only guess. I daresay, nay, I am sure, that Caleb is
quite innocent."

"Why do you take such an interest in Caleb?" asked Marcus suspiciously.

"Because he was my friend and playmate from childhood."

"Umph," he answered, "a strange couple--a dove and a raven. Well, I am
glad that you did not catch his temper, or you would be more dangerous
even than you are. Now, what do you want me to do?"

"I want you to spare Caleb. You, you, you--need not believe those
witnesses."

"To think of it!" said Marcus, in mock horror. "To think that one whom I
thought so good can prove so immoral. Do you then wish to tempt me from
my duty?"

"Yes, I suppose so. At least the peasants round here are great liars."

"Lady," said Marcus, with stern conviction, "Caleb has improved upon his
opportunities as a playmate; he has been making love to you. I thought
so from the first."

"Oh," she answered, "how can you know that? Besides, he promised that he
would never do it again."

"How can I know that? Why, because Caleb would have been a bigger fool
than I take him for if he had not. And if it rested with me, certainly
he never would do it again. Now be honest with me, if a woman can on
such a matter, and tell me true: are you in love with this Caleb?"

"I--I? In love with Caleb? Of course not. If you do not believe me, ask
Nehushta."

"Thank you, I will be content with your own reply. You deny that you a