Page:Lazarus, a tale of the world's great miracle.djvu/213

Rh Lazarus. Yet, if the Nazarene be slain, will not all the people and Lazarus tell still of His great deeds?"

Caiaphas shot a glance of wrath at him.

But Nicodemus continued speaking: "What harm doeth He? Let us leave Him alone. Surely the State hath nations that do war against her, and many enemies; she needeth not to war against one man. Let Him alone."

Then, while no one uttered aught, as though his words were taking effect, the voice of Annas rose on the silence, for there must needs be silence to hear the old man's voice.

"If we let Him thus alone, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation."

Caiaphas shot a look of approval and gratitude at Annas. He recognised the diplomacy of the remark. Annas had profited by Pontius Pilate's absence to cast a slur on the intentions of the governing race. Yet, if Pontius Pilate should come to hear of this, it could not be said that Caiaphas the High Priest had pronounced the words. Annas had spoken well and tersely, and Caiaphas's countenance beamed with sated craft.

But Pontius Pilate was, in a sense, popular, and there were many in the building who owed place and power to him, and resented the covert attack on the good faith of the Procurator. His absence, too, had filled their minds with uneasiness. Perhaps an open rupture was to come between Caiaphas and the Roman Governor; then woe betide those who had sided against Cæsar's viceroy! These and many other reflections crossed the minds of the more temperate of