Judean mountains will those who know not fear, engage Rome in such
warfare as she hath never known."

"The love of thy heart doth upset thy reason," Joseph answered, shaking
his head. "What to Rome is the fastness of Judean hills? Hath not
Rome crossed mountains and jungles and deserts in search of her prey?
Like sheep in a pen wouldst thou be made to stay in thy hiding-places
until thy bleached bones would tell that Rome findeth starvation oft
cheaper than the sword. From Dan to Beersheba doth the heathen purple
fly over tower and wall, and under the dark shadow of her mighty eagle
do the nations of the earth cower. Whence then could come thy succor?
To lift the sword is but to bring it down on thine own neck. If he
whom our hearts love escape, by the wit of man's mind must the thing be
accomplished. Go thou, Lazarus, with these disciples and rouse the
sleeping people that they be ready to swarm the city at the opening of
the gates. And I--I will hasten to Jerusalem and until daybreak keep
my eye where the Sanhedrin might hold meeting."

"It is not lawful for the Great Sanhedrin to meet until the sun is well
risen," said Lazarus eagerly.

"And what care murderers for the law of Moses when the fires of hatred
gnaw their souls? To their meeting place I will hasten, and if quietly
they seek to do evil before the break of day, I will, with innocent
words, seek an entanglement among them concerning the Law. And with
the daybreak will come the followers of Jesus and safety for another
day. Haste! Let us haste!"

CHAPTER XXX

CLAUDIA'S DREAM

After Pilate had left for the Judgment Hall and the soldiers and servants
had returned to their accustomed places, Claudia walked the length of the
room and back several times speaking to herself as she did so. "Before
the tribunal of the Jew hath the greatest one of them all been judged
guilty of sedition against their Law. Aye, but the gods be thanked those
cunning workers of darkness have not power to take his life. And
Pilate--ah, have I not Pilate's promise that of the Jew will he judge the
Jew? Glad I am that Pilate is to hear his voice and look upon his face.
One glance from those eyes--one word from those lips and Pilate will know
that all evil accusation be accusation only."

Then Claudia threw herself across the bed, but sleep did not come, so
after a time she arose, threw open the window and stood looking into the
indigo sky, spangled with stars,