"It is to be had at a price," he replied.
"I am prepared to pay the price."
"Then set out your case."
So Caleb set it out. He told how many years before his father had
been accidentally slain in a tumult, and how he, the son, being but an
infant, certain Jews of the Zealots had seized and divided his estate
on the ground that his father was a partisan of the Romans, leaving him,
the son, to be brought up by charity--which estate, consisting of tracts
of rich lands and certain house property in Jerusalem and Tyre, was
still in their possession or in that of their descendants.
The black eyes of Florus glistened as he heard.
"Their names," he said, snatching at his tablets. But as yet Caleb was
not minded to give the names. First, he intimated that he desired to
arrive at a formal agreement as to what proportion of the property, if
recovered, would be handed over to him, the heir. Then followed much
haggling; but in the end it was agreed that as he had been robbed
because his father was supposed to favour the Romans, the lands and a
large dwelling with warehouse attached, at Tyre, together with one-half
the back rents, if recoverable, should be given to the plaintiff.
The governor, or as he put it, Caesar, for his share was to retain
the property in Jerusalem and the other half of the rents.
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