He lives, and they purpose to hold him
captive, else they would have suffered Caleb to put his sword through
him, as you noted he wished to do so soon as he found his feet."
"Captive," answered Miriam. "That means that he will be crucified like
the others whom we saw yesterday upon the Temple wall."
Nehushta shrugged her shoulders.
"It may be so," she said, "unless he finds means to destroy himself
or--is saved."
"Saved! How can he be saved?" Then in her woe the poor girl fell upon
her knees clasping her hands and murmuring: "Oh! Jesus Christ whom I
serve, teach me how to save Marcus. Oh! Jesus, I love him, although he
is not a Christian; love him also because I love him, and teach me how
to save him. Or if one must die, take my life for his, oh! take my life
for his."
"Cease," said Nehushta, "for I think I hear an answer to your prayer.
Look now, he is laid just where the stair starts and not six feet from
the stone door that leads down into the cistern. Except for some dead
men the tower is empty; also the two sentries stand outside the breach
in the brickwork with which it was walled up, because there they find
more light, and their prisoner is unarmed and helpless, and cannot
attempt escape.
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