Page:Ben-Hur a tale of the Christ.djvu/195

Rh At the curtain he turned, and said simply, &quot;I thank you both.&quot;

&quot;Peace go with you,&quot; the merchant said.

Esther could not speak for sobbing.

And so he departed.

was Ben-Hur gone, when Simonides seemed to wake as from sleep : his countenance flushed; the sullen light of his eyes changed to brightness; and he said, cheerily,

&quot;Esther, ring—quick!&quot;

She went to the table, and rang a service-bell.

One of the panels in the wall swung back, exposing a doorway which gave admittance to a man who passed round to the merchant's front, and saluted him with a half-salaam.

&quot;Malluch, here—nearer—to the chair,&quot; the master, said, imperiously. &quot;I have a mission which shall not fail though the sun should. Hearken! A young man is now descending to the store-room—tall, comely, and in the garb of Israel; follow him, his shadow not more faithful; and every night send me report of where he is, what he does, and the company he keeps; and if, without discovery, you overhear his conversations, report them word for word, together with whatever will serve to expose him, his habits, motives, life. Understand you? Go quickly! Stay, Malluch: if he leave the city, go after him—and, mark you, Malluch, be as a friend. If he bespeak you, tell him what you will to the occasion most suited, except that you are in my service; of that, not a word. Haste—make haste!&quot; The man saluted as before, and was gone.

Then Simonides rubbed his wan hands together, and laughed.

&quot;What is the day, daughter?&quot; he said, in the midst of the mood. &quot;What is the day? I wish to remember it for