Page:Lazarus, a tale of the world's great miracle.djvu/144

132 call that thou thyself didst once preach in the Synagogue that this people was by way of the sea beyond Jordan in Galilee of the nations."

Caiaphas scowled. "Verily thou hast good memory, Nicodemus. 'T will be well that Cæsar and Herod learn that Nicodemus, the great ruler of the Synagogue, believeth that this Jesus is the Son of God."

Then, fearing lest he had said too much, he resumed the playful, half-patronising, half-deprecating, persuasiveness with which he had won over so many enemies. "Nay, heed me not, good Nicodemus," he went on; "thou hast a right to thine own thoughts; but thou art wrong, this Man is not the Christ. Nevertheless, let us step out on to the roof and listen, for He hath good flow of language, this Nazarene, and He interesteth me greatly."

Half sullenly, and half incredulously, yet wondering at the sudden change of mood of the cunning priest, Nicodemus followed him on to the flat roof.

As they stepped out, they heard the voice of the Nazarene speaking to the beggar; and Caiaphas leaned forward to listen.

"Dost thou believe in the Son of God?" asked the gently entreating voice; and the words thrilled Caiaphas against his will.

"Who is He, Lord?" replied the beggar, looking with doubting wonder, yet with love and gratitude, at the Perfect Man before him, His face marred only by the lines of suffering and pity drawn on it.

Breathless, the two rulers listened for the answer that Caiaphas had gone to Bethany to hear. It seemed as if, in answer to the questionings of their