Page:Lazarus, a tale of the world's great miracle.djvu/357

Rh to the centurion, he said: "Dost swear that this Jesus is dead?"

"Truly I would I thought it not. But He is dead in very deed, and many will bear witness of it," was the centurion's answer.

"Wilt thou still doubt," asked Lazarus, "and forget already the darkness and the earthquake?"

Then Pilate said: "For my own sake said I this; for, if indeed He rise again, I would be sure that there is no witchery and would have others witness of it."

Then he gave leave to Joseph to do what he would with the holy body, and the two men left together.

It was not long before the rumour of Pilate's concession reached the ears of Caiaphas, so he sent a deputation of priests and Pharisees to the Governor, to ask whether he did not fear a repetition of the miracle of Lazarus.

"Sir," they urged, "we remember that this deceiver said, while He was yet alive, 'After three days I will rise again.'

Do ye then so fear the vengeance of this Man whom ye have crucified?" asked Pilate. "I wonder not that ye fear to see His face again."

"We would but make certain that His disciples bewitch not the people further," said the cringing group of Pharisees. "We would but have thee command that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say unto the people, 'He is risen from the dead.' So the last error be worse than the first."

Then Pilate answered them with scorn: "Ye have