Page:Lazarus, a tale of the world's great miracle.djvu/298

286 being the living evidence of His greatest miracle, who would bear the brunt of persecution.

Then again, this might be a trap set for his destruction; he felt that at any moment he might be seized and killed or put away, lest his presence should influence the populace. He did not fear death, but it was important that he should live, lest the Nazarene should need him, and also to protect the women who belonged to him. Faintly the image of the Magdalene flitted across his brain.

"Who seeketh me?" he asked the speaker, doubtfully. But, even while he spoke, a written message was thrust into his hands.

"If thou wouldst save the Nazarene, speak with me at once. Rebekah."

Still he hesitated. "Save the Nazarene!" What did it mean, to save the Nazarene? Was it possible? Was He not destined to die and by His death to save? What new problem was this? His pure mind had put away, since that day when they had met, all thought of Rebekah's sensual love; he had striven to believe that she was impressed by the preaching of the Nazarene and sought salvation through Him.

He erred, as so many true, good people err, by wilfully ignoring evil when they see it.

Should he go? Then, even while he hesitated, the little band crossed over the street, and Rebekah sprang forward and seized him by the arm; while Judas, fearful lest his victim should escape him, ran off in the darkness to warn the authorities of the Messiah's movements.

"But capture Him not, till I come again," he said.