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Haggard, H. Rider (Henry Rider), 1856-1925

"Pearl-Maiden"

The fray having now become general he, Caleb, dragged
his prisoner into the Old Tower and returned to the battle.
When he went back to the Tower it was to find that the captive had
vanished, leaving in his place a lady who was known to the Romans as
Pearl-Maiden, and who was afterwards taken by them and exposed for sale
in the Forum, where she was purchased by an old woman whom he recognised
as her nurse. He followed the maiden, having bid for her and being
curious as to her destination, to a house in the Via Agrippa, which he
afterwards learned was the palace of the accused Marcus. That was all he
knew of the matter.
Then the prosecutor called a soldier, who stated that he had been under
the command of Marcus on the day in question. There he saw the Jew
leader, whom he identified with Caleb, at the conclusion of a parley
strike the accused, Marcus, on the back with the flat of his sword.
After this ensued a fight, in which the Romans were repulsed. At the end
of it, he saw their captain, Marcus, being led away prisoner. His sword
had gone and blood was running from the side of his head.
The evidence being concluded, Marcus was asked if he had anything to say
in defence.
"Much," he answered proudly, "when I am given a fair trial.


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