Page:Ben-Hur a tale of the Christ.djvu/352

Rh &quot;Enormous wagers offered will answer; if the offers are accepted, all the better.&quot;

Malluch turned his eyes watchfully upon Ben-Hur.

&quot;Shall I not have back the equivalent of his robbery?&quot; said Ben-Hur, partly to himself. &quot;Another opportunity may not come. And if I could break him in fortune as well as in pride! Our father Jacob could take no offence.&quot;

A look of determined will knit his handsome face, giving emphasis to his further speech.

&quot;Yes, it shall be. Hark, Malluch! Stop not in thy offer of sestertii. Advance them to talents, if any there be who dare so high. Five, ten, twenty talents; ay, fifty, so the wager be with Messala himself.&quot;

"It is a mighty sum,&quot; said Malluch. &quot;I must have security.&quot;

&quot;So thou shalt. Go to Simonides, and tell him I wish the matter arranged. Tell him my heart is set on the ruin of my enemy, and that the opportunity hath such excellent promise that I choose such hazards. On our side be the God of our fathers. Go, good Malluch. Let this not slip.&quot;

And Malluch, greatly delighted, gave him parting salutation, and started to ride away, but returned presently.

&quot;Your pardon,&quot; he said to Ben-Hur. &quot;There was an other matter. I could not get near Messala’s chariot myself, but I had another measure it; and, from his report, its hub stands quite a palm higher from the ground than yours.&quot;

&quot;A palm! So much?&quot; cried Ben-Hur, joyfully.

Then he leaned over to Malluch.

&quot;As thou art a son of Judah, Malluch, and faithful to thy kin, get thee a seat in the gallery over the Gate of Triumph, down close to the balcony in front of the pillars, and watch well when we make the turns there; watch well, for if I have favor at all, I will— Nay, Malluch, let it go unsaid! Only get thee there, and watch well.&quot;

At that moment a cry burst from Ilderim.

&quot;Ha! By the splendor of God! what is this?&quot;

He drew near Ben-Hur with a finger pointing on the face of the notice.

&quot;Read,&quot; said Ben-Hur.