"Is that so, man?" asked Caesar. "Now tell the truth, for I shall learn
it, and if you lie you die."
"She was condemned by the Sanhedrim, among whom was her own grandfather,
Benoni; there is his signature with the rest upon the scroll," Simeon
answered sullenly.
"For what crime?"
"Because she suffered a Roman prisoner to escape, for which deed," he
added furiously, "may her soul burn in Gehenna for ever and aye!"
"What was the name of the prisoner?" asked Titus.
"I do not remember," answered Simeon.
"Well," said Caesar, "it does not greatly matter, for either he is safe
or he is dead. Your robes, what are left of them, show that you also are
one of the Sanhedrim. Is it not so?"
"Yes. I am Simeon, a name that you have heard."
"Ah! Simeon, here it is, written on this scroll first of all. Well,
Simeon, you doomed a high-born lady to a cruel death because she saved,
or tried to save, a Roman soldier, and it is but just that you should
drink of your own wine. Take him and fasten him to the column on the
gateway and leave him there to perish. Your Holy House is destroyed,
Simeon, and being a faithful priest, you would not wish to survive your
worship."
"There you are right, Roman," he answered, "though I should have been
better pleased with a quicker end, such as I trust may overtake you.
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