Page:Ben-Hur a tale of the Christ.djvu/384

Rh said, &quot;the master Simonides sends me to say that, upon the adjournment of the games, some of the Roman faction made haste to protest against payment of the money prize.&quot;

Ilderim started up, crying, in his shrillest tones.

&quot;By the splendor of God! the East shall decide whether the race was fairly won.&quot;

&quot;Nay, good sheik,&quot; said Malluch, &quot;the editor has paid the money.&quot;

"’Tis well.&quot;

&quot;When they said Ben-Hur struck Messala’s wheel, the editor laughed, and reminded them of the blow the Arabs had at the turn of the goal.&quot;

&quot;And what of the Athenian?&quot;

&quot;He is dead.&quot;

&quot;Dead!&quot; cried Ben-Hur.

&quot;Dead!&quot; echoed Ilderim. &quot;What fortune these Roman monsters have! Messala escaped?&quot;

&quot;Escaped—yes, O sheik, with life; but it shall be a burden to him. The physicians say he will live, but never walk again.&quot;

Ben-Hur looked silently up to heaven. He had a vision of Messala, chair-bound like Simonides, and, like him, going abroad on the shoulders of servants. The good man had abode well; but what would this one with his pride and ambition?

&quot;Simonides bade me say, further,&quot; Malluch continued, &quot;Sanballat is having trouble. Drusus, and those who signed with him, referred the question of paying the five talents they lost to the Consul Maxentius, and he has referred it to Cæsar. Messala also refused his losses, and Sanballat, in imitation of Drusus, went to the consul, where the matter is still in advisement. The better Romans say the protestants shall not be excused; and all the adverse factions join with them. The city rings with the scandal.&quot;

&quot;What says Simonides?&quot; asked Ben-Hur.

&quot;The master laughs, and is well pleased. If the Roman pays, he is ruined; if he refuses to pay, he is dishonored. The imperial policy will decide the matter. To offend the East would be a bad beginning with the Parthians; to