Page:Lazarus, a tale of the world's great miracle.djvu/110

98 height, she added proudly: "Yea, if thou fearest aught." With unutterable scorn the word "fearest" was pronounced. "If thou fearest aught from heaven or earth, do what thou wilt. Set thy soldiers to roll a stone before his grave."

Then the scheming Annas realised that he had taken a false step, for, if miracle there were, then it would assuredly be said, "Yet Annas placed a stone against the door"; giving double strength to what might otherwise have been passed off as a trick. Accordingly, hastily he replied: "Still, if thou will it not, 't is all one; for there will be no miracle."

But Martha, justly angered, raised her head proudly and made answer: "Nay, but I will now that thou have this stone rolled on my brother's grave; and, if thou wilt but bid thy soldiers do it in the presence of these who linger still and can bear witness to it, I will myself send message to my kinsman Caiaphas, or, if needs be, go to Pontius Pilate to tell him of thy words."

Annas started, stung by her tone and words; then laughed an angry laugh. "Methinks that He who can raise one so dead as Lazarus can also roll away the stone."

"Thou speakest well, thou treacherous Annas," replied Martha, with some heat; "for, if my brother rise, it will be at the bidding of Jesus, the Son of God, with whom all things are possible."

With these words she signed to the soldiers to roll a stone against the tomb, stifling the wish to cast one last long look at her brother, lest Annas should make it an excuse for delaying to fulfil her wish.

Then the soldiers, partly to annoy Annas, whom