Dion's coolness matched that of his interrogator. There was neither stoical bravado nor shame in his confession: "Maccabæus, every word these men have spoken is true." A murmur of rage at the prisoner's audacity ran through the crowd, as they pressed close about him. "Is not this enough?" cried Simon, putting his hand to his sword as if he himself would serve as executioner on the spot. Judas raised his hand. The angry multitude moved back, yet every man stood ready to be the minister of Judas' vengeance the moment the signal should be given. "Captain Dion," said the judge, "I did not ask you to either confirm or deny what these true men of Israel have said. Your confirmation would not add a feather's weight to their veracity, nor would the denial of ten thousand Greeks shake our confidence in them. I ask not your testimony, but your explanation." "We need no explanation," muttered Eliezar. "Let him explain when his dead lips can talk; they can't lie. But the Greek who is to be believed does not live," said another. "Silence!" cried Judas, and his men slunk away under his indignant look, as hounds when whipped back from the prey they have caught and are waiting to tear. Judas again addressed the prisoner: "Captain Dion, by the gateway after Emmaus you gave me your hand in voluntary alliance. No one compelled that act. I then believed yours to be an honest hand. I will not now fling it from me unless you yourself shall show that it is unworthy another honest man's touch. Explain your conduct at Bethzur." Dion advanced a step. He bowed very low. "My thanks, Maccabæus! An honest man can ask no more than you have granted me." He then put his arm about the shoulder of his fellow-prisoner. "This man, Maccabæus, is my father, General Agathocles, the commander of the last phalanx of your foes to fly from the field of Bethzur. Do with us what you will." The crowd surged in again, and stared at the noted captive. A huzza broke forth. Was it in self-gratulation that so important a foeman had fallen into their hands? Or was it elicited by the dramatic nature of the scene, as father and son thus stood defenceless except for their mutual embrace? Judas rose from his seat. "God forbid that even in war there should be such miscarriage as that a son's hand should be raised against him who begat him." Simon interposed, "If they be father and son, it does not disprove their treason." "Perhaps accounts for it," said Eliezar, with a shrug. "Silence, my brothers!" commanded Judas. Turning to the elder prisoner, he asked: "Are you General Agathocles? Does Dion speak truth?" The venerable Greek stood erect, yet trembled with rage, as he replied: "Maccabæus, never before has man questioned the truthfulness of either Agathocles or his son without biting the dust. Give me my sword, and let the gods decide betwixt us." "Your pardon," instantly replied Judas. "God forbid that I should wrong one in bonds!"