"Why does not He love me? Why does He love the others? Am I not
handsomer, better and stronger than they? Did not I save His life while
they ran away like cowardly dogs?"

"My poor friend, you are not quite right. You are not good-looking
at all, and your tongue is as disagreeable as your face. You lie and
slander continually; how then can you expect Jesus to love you?"

But Judas, stirring heavily in the darkness, continued as though he
heard him not--

"Why is He not on the side of Judas, instead of on the side of those
who do not love Him? John brought Him a lizard; I would bring him a
poisonous snake. Peter threw stones; I would overthrow a mountain for
His sake. But what is a poisonous snake? One has but to draw its fangs,
and it will coil round one's neck like a necklace. What is a mountain,
which it is possible to dig down with the hands, and to trample with the
feet? I would give to Him Judas, the bold, magnificent Judas. But now He
will perish, and together with him will perish Judas."

"You are speaking strangely, Judas!"

"A withered fig-tree, which must needs be cut down with the axe, such am
I: He said it of me. Why then does He not do it? He dare not, Thomas!
I know him. He fears Judas. He hides from the bold, strong, magnificent
Judas. He loves fools, traitors, liars. You are a liar, Thomas; have you
never been told so before?"

Thomas was much surprised, and wished to object, but he thought that
Judas was simply railing, and so only shook his head in the darkness.
And Judas lamented still more grievously, and groaned and ground
his teeth, and his whole huge body could be heard heaving under the
coverlet.

"What is the matter with Judas? Who has applied fire to his body? He
will give his son to the dogs. He will give his daughter to be betrayed
by robbers, his bride to harlotry. And yet has not Judas a tender heart?
Go away, Thomas; go away, stupid! Leave the strong, bold, magnificent
Judas alone!"

CHAPTER IV

Judas had concealed some denarii, and the deception was discovered,
thanks to Thomas, who had seen by chance how much money had been given
to them. It was only too probable that this was not the first time that
Judas had committed a theft, and they all were enraged. The angry Peter
seized Judas by his collar and almost dragged him to Jesus, and the
terrified Judas paled but did not resist.

"Master, see! Here he is, the trickster! Here's the thief. You trusted
him, and he steal