Evening star., 1926-11-17


addressed his companions. This man
must be brought before our lord
Herod," he said. whether he be
Flavius or Antonius, he has knowl-
edge that the tetrarch should have. !"
He motioned to an attendant in the
background. go and have a stretcher
prepared and bring bearers" The
man sped away, and the commissioner
spoke to the guard stand by the
door and let no man enter
AS he prepared to leave he turned
to Antonius. Soldier" he said, you
will make the journey to Engannim
under guard, to repeat your tale to
the terarch. l go to examine other
witnesses, but when the bearers come
with your stretcher you will accom-
pany them"
He walked away, his sad-colored
robe touching the ground. After him
followed the others, except the mem
Der Of the household guard, with his
spear. This soldier took his place in
the doorway, his back against the cas-
ing, so he could see both Antonius
and whoever might approach.
Jupiter" exclaimed Antonius when
the scribe had gone.
The guard rolled his eyes at him.
but said nothing.
What is your name?" asked the
Roman.
The man blinked. but did not reply.
Can you talk?" proceeded An
tonius.
The guard fixed his eyes on dis
tant point, his chin elevated. The IN
tured soldier considered the situation.
Then stealthily his hand stole under
him and moved beneath his robe. In
q moment he held up piece Of gold.
dow l1of
had left with him.
''See?" he said enticingly.
The guard lowered his gaze and
fixed it on the coin.
do you want it?" persisted An
tonius
The man began to move, slowly.
toward his tempter. The Roman held
the gold aloft. between his thumb and
forefinger. Transferring his spear
from his right hand to his left. the
guard reached slowly for the coin.
Don't be afraid" urged Antonfus.
The man grasped the bit of money.
Instantly his wrist was seized. and
he was jerked sprawling into An
tonius' arms. The spear went clatter-
ing against the wall. The Roman
pressed him tight to his bosom and
lifted his voice in a roar:
Aaron! Come quick!'
The old shepherd swung downward
from the ceiling, and runnings to the
struggling pair, pressed his hands
firmly over the guards mouth, from
which were issuing frantic bellows.
Gag him. painted AntoniuS.
In few swift motions Aaron
obeyed, using the guards own silk
headdress. Then he tied him, trussing
him up with his mantle, and set him
against the wall.
Don't do that-roll him over on
hts face and cover him up, so he can
not see nor hear" ordered the Roman.
In quick understanding Aaron
obeyed. When he was done he came
to Antonius and lifted him in his
arms, elevating him until the soldier
could grasp the roof pole. Aaron
leaped and drew himself in to the
hiding place in the roof. Then reach
ing down his arms, he hauled An
toniuS after him.
Both were breathing heavily when
they settled themselves in the straw
that lined the cavity. Aaron showed
back the door Of matted twigs.
They lay silent, waiting for devel-
opments below.
1t was only few minutes until
they could hear voices at the door.
Aaron put out his hand and moved
Antopius' head a few inches to one
side. The soldiers eye came to peep.
hole through the straw and grasses.
He saw the messenger whom the
scribe had sent. In a moment two
mon followed, with a stretcher.
The gagged and helpless guard was
out of range Of his vision. but An
tonius grinned as the messenger
gasped and cried out.
There was a minutes furry below,
- thnv nvyt
IDENTIFY that Of the guard whom An
topius had so roughly handled.
1.-THE man has fed" he cried. "He
was a liari His leg was not broken!
Antonius gleefully nudged his
companion
''Iie seized me and held me-" went
on the guard, Indignantly, "and an
other man ran up behind and stuffed
my headcloth in my mouth and tied
me with my own mantle"
'T7l call the officers" said the mes.
eenger.
"And I shall be fiogged and tied up
by my foref1ngers"' the guard walled.
Yet I thought the man had a bro
ken leg. He lied, or he could, not
have run away"
A quiet sigh beside him told An
tonius that Aaron, too, had realized
that for the time being they were
safe. The excited guard had not seen
the old man drop from the ceiling,
nor heard them scramble to their hid
ing place.
The bearers, the messenger and the
guard went out together, chattering
noisily.
Soon there was a fresh commotion.
The commissioner in person, with his
followers, was back. The unfortunate
guard--AntoniuS could see that the
mans hands We're tied behind his