Page:Lazarus, a tale of the world's great miracle.djvu/143

Rh coward, if thou tellest the soldiers that, unless my word be obeyed and the Nazarene brought here at my bidding, they shall forthwith be cast into prison and, maybe, crucified. Though they be Romans, Pontius Pilate hath agreed that, in all things, those who are in my service shall be tried by Jewish law." Speed thee now, or thou, too, shalt fear the power of the law."

Caiaphas could have put forward no two stronger incentives to action than the calling of a Roman subject a coward and threatening him with the humiliation of a Jewish punishment.

"This man is beyond forbearance," muttered the man, as he hurried down the stairs to obey Caiaphas's behest.

Then, with cruel delight, seeing that Nicodemus quivered and winced at his words, Caiaphas turned to him and said: "What thinkest thou, Nicodemus? Have I not done well? Is it not time this mummery had an end?"

Distraught with rage and impotence, yet not courageous enough to throw himself upon Caiaphas, Nicodemus answered: "Doth our law judge any man before it hear him and know what he hath done?"

Caiaphas laughed. "Thou, too, art gone mad, Nicodemus. Art thou also of Galilee? Search and look, for out of Galilee doth arise no prophet."

But Nicodemus answered: "Methinks it was of Galilee the prophet Isaiah spoke in the words: 'The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.' Now I