captain who had wished to put Miriam to
death, and she saw that behind him were Caleb, who looked ill at ease,
and the Jew who had guarded Marcus.

"I accuse her," he said, "of having released the Roman Prefect, Marcus,
whom Caleb here wounded and took prisoner in the fighting yesterday, and
brought into the Old Tower, where he was laid till we knew whether he
would live or die."

"The Roman Prefect, Marcus?" said one. "Why, he is the friend of Titus,
and would have been worth more to us than a hundred common men. Also,
throughout this war, none has done us greater mischief. Woman, if,
indeed, you let him go, no death can repay your wickedness. Did you let
him go?"

"That is for you to discover," answered Miriam, for now that Marcus was
safe she would tell no more lies.

"This renegade is insolent, like all her accursed sect," said the judge,
spitting on the ground. "Captain, tell your story, and be brief."

He obeyed. After him that soldier was examined from whose hand Miriam
had struck the lantern. Then Caleb was called and asked what he knew of
the matter.

"Nothing," he answered, "except that I took the Roman and saw him laid
in the tower, for he was senseless. When I returned the Roman had gone,
and this lady Miriam was there, who said that he had escaped by the
doorway. I did not see them together, and know no more."

"That is a lie," said one of the judges roughly. "You told the captain
that Marcus had been her lover. Why did you say this?"

"Because years ago by Jordan she, who is a sculptor, graved a likeness
of him in stone," answered Caleb.

"Are artists always the lovers of those whom they picture, Caleb?" asked
Benoni, speaking for the first time.

Caleb made no answer, but one of the Sanhedrim, a sharp-faced man, named
Simeon, the friend of Simon, the son of Gioras, the Zealot, who sat
next to him, cried, "Cease this foolishness; the daughter of Satan is
beautiful; doubtless Caleb desires her for himself; but what has that
to do with us?" though he added vindictively, "it should be remembered
against him that he is striving to hide the truth."

"There is no evidence against this woman, let her be set free,"
exclaimed Benoni.

"So we might expect her grandfather to think," said Simeon, with
sarcasm. "Little wonder that we are smitten with the Sword of God when
Rabbis shelter Christians because they chance to be of their house, and
when warriors bear false witness concerning them because they