Now among his fellow-slaves was a man whose brother belonged to the
Order of the Essenes, and from him he learned that they had gone back
to Jordan. So thither Samuel started, having Miriam's ring still hidden
safely about his person. Reaching the place without further accident he
declared himself to the Essenes, who received him with joy, which was
not to be wondered at, since he was able to tell them that Miriam, whom
they named their Queen and believed to be dead, was still alive. He
asked them if they had a Roman prisoner called Marcus hidden away
among them, and when they answered that this was so, said that he had
a message from Miriam which he was charged to deliver to him. Then they
led him to the garden where her workshop had been, telling him that
there he would find the Roman.
Marcus was seated in the garden, basking in the sunshine, and with him
Nehushta. They were talking of Miriam--indeed, they spoke of little
else.
"Alas! although I seem to know her yet alive, I fear that she must be
dead," Marcus was saying. "It is not possible that she could have lived
through that night of the burning of the Temple."
"It does not seem possible," answered Nehushta, "yet I believe that she
did live--as in your heart you believe also.
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