Page:Lazarus, a tale of the world's great miracle.djvu/211

Rh function of an execution is ever to run danger of division amongst the people; and with one who could raise Lazarus, be it by chicanery or not—I know not, and whether Lazarus were dead or not, I know not, nor will know—yet, methinks the man must needs have power who can do this thing, whether by God's assistance or Satan's magic; and, since there is such stir about the death of Lazarus, a lesser ruler of the Synagogue, surely there will be threefold over the death of one who calleth Himself the Son of God."

Caiaphas was silent. It seemed as though these wise words of Annas carried conviction to him, but that ambition forbade such secret dismissal of the man he hated. The people had believed in Him. The people should see who was the more powerful. The man who had publicly denounced the law should perish by the law. A public example should be made, and Judaea should for ever be rid of the possibility of a reappearance of such fanatics. The world must be freed from all such mischief-makers.

"Thou wouldst have them say that I, Caiaphas, am afraid?" he asked, shrugging his shoulders. "No, it is the people's voice, the voice of them who seemed to follow Him, that shall condemn," he went on, growing fiercer and more sullen. "If He be the Son of God, let His God save Him!" Then suddenly clutching the old man by the arm and placing his coarse lips close to his slowly deafening ears, he said: "I will not be dictated to by Pontius Pilate."

Here indeed he struck home, for it was through Pontius Pilate that Annas had been bereft of his