“The guilt is yours who presume to exercise authority in a land that God sware with an oath should be ours forever. Out of this land, then, ye Romans, with your legions and your lictors, your taxes and your idols! It is contrary to the will of God that Cæsar should bear rule in Judæa, and the Jew that acknowledges him breaks the law of Moses. For it is written therein, ‘One from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee; thou mayest not set a stranger over thee which is not thy brother’; whereof let due note be taken by that smug Ananias there, who fraternizes so comfortably with his country’s enemies!” “As it was your custom,” continued Tertullus, “to plunder, as well as to kill, you doubtless gained considerable wealth?” “Wealth? Ay, stores of it,” said Simon, his eyes sparkling as if at the recollection. “None was found in the place of your capture.” Simon laughed exultingly. “It exists, for all that, in a place where no Roman can lay hand upon it, reserved for the great day of vengeance.” “Or, in other words, it is to be used in fomenting war against Rome?” “Lawyer, thou hast said.” “It is rumored that several persons of high station have been in communication with you?” “The highest in the land. I can see now upon the bema here some of my past accomplices. Why are they not placed beside me to be judged?” The uneasiness that had never been absent from the face of Florus seemed now to increase. It was noticed by Tertullus, who smiled to himself with the quiet satisfaction of an archer who, after many trials, has hit the mark at last. The crowd of spectators, hitherto restless and murmuring, became suddenly hushed. Florus’ long delay in bringing Simon to trial had given birth to sinister rumors as to the relations previously existing between the procurator and the robber-chief. Was the dark story about to be confirmed? With breathless interest they awaited the issue. “The court will be pleased at having these accomplices named,” said Tertullus with affected carelessness. “I name them not, unless I have a promise that they shall be arrested without delay.” “The court will have no hesitation in arresting them, provided that you can prove your charge.” “Good! If it be a crime to plot against the life of a Roman, bid the lictors go and bind the hands of Ananias.” Tertullus’ face fell somewhat. Ananias was not the name he wanted. “Lying Zealot!” exclaimed the priest; and, forgetting for the moment that it was not a Jewish court in which he could do according to his own pleasure, he cried, “Strike him on the mouth!”