u don't believe
it? Then read this letter from Caius, my uncle, and this rescript signed
by Nero the Caesar."

Benoni perused the documents and returned them.

"I offer you my congratulations," he said. "If God permits it and you
will walk steadily, your future should be brilliant, since you are of
a pleasant countenance, and when you choose to use it, behind that
countenance lies a brain. But here I see no security for my money, since
even if all things go right, Italy is a long way off."

"Man, do you think that I should cheat you?" asked Marcus hotly.

"No, no, but accidents might happen."

"Well, I will make it worth your while to risk them. For the half-talent
write a talent charged upon my estate, whether I live or die. And be
swift, I pray you, for I have matters to speak of, of more importance
than this miserable money. Whilst I was commissioner among the Essenes
on the banks of Jordan----"

"The Essenes! What of the Essenes?" broke in Benoni.

Marcus considered him with his grey eyes, then answered:

"Let us settle this little matter of business and I will tell you."

"Good. It is settled; you shall have the acknowledgment to sign and the
consideration in cash and bills before you leave my house. Now what of
these Essenes?"

"Only this," said Marcus; "they are a strange people who read the
future, I know not how. One of them with whom I became friendly,
foretold that mighty troubles were about to fall upon this land of
yours--slaughter and pestilence, and famine, such as the world has not
seen."

"That is an old prophecy of those accursed Nazarenes," broke in Benoni.

"Call them not accursed, friend," said Marcus, in an odd voice, "for you
should do so least of all men. Nay, hear me out. It may be a prophecy of
the Nazarenes, but it is also a prophecy of the Essenes, and I believe
it, who watch the signs of the times. Now the elder told me this, that
there will be a great uprising of the Jews against the strength of
Caesar, and that most of those who join in it shall perish. He even gave
names, and among them was yours, friend Benoni. Therefore, because you
have lent me money, although I am a Roman, I have come to Tyre to warn
you to keep clear of rebellions and other tumults."

The old man listened quietly, but not as one who disbelieves.

"All this may be so," he said, "but if my name is written in that book
of the dead, the angel of Jehovah has chosen me, and I cannot escape his
sword. Moreo