Page:Traditions of Palestine (microform) (IA traditionsofpale00martrich).pdf/110

 “Nay, I might ask that of you. What do you suppose to have become of it, that you tremble as if his spirit had been seen?

“I suppose that the gods have removed it to some place where it may be honoured, and where my shame will be exposed. It will be well if I suffer no more from their vengeance; but I tremble when I think of the portents which alarmed the city when the cross was raised. There were more than I have allowed to be told in the palace. But see, the watch is come. Go in till I have learned the truth from them.”

The soldiers of the guard entered the hall, no strangers being allowed to follow. They related their tale to the governor, declaring that they had slept on guard, and that the disciples must have stolen the body. Pilate was astonished at the boldness with which they avowed a negligence whose penalty was death. On questioning them more closely, he discerned signs of fear, and detected various untruths in their story. Being utterly perplexed, he at length declared that every man of them should suffer death for neglect of duty, according to the Roman law. He summoned