The Maccabee looked at him sharply, then quitted his shelter and walked down toward the rider.

At sight of him, the horseman clapped his hand to his short sword, but the Maccabee put up his empty hands and smiled at the man of all superior advantage.

Then the light of recognition broke over the Roman's face.
"You!" he cried.
"I, Caesar," the Maccabee responded.

For a moment there was silence in which the Jew watched the flickering of amazement and perplexity on Titus' face.
"What do you here, away from Ephesus, and worse, attempting to run my lines ?" he demanded finally.
The Maccabee signed toward the walls.
"My wife is there," he said briefly.
The Roman made an exclamation which showed the sudden change to enlightenment.
"Solicitous after these many years ?" he demanded.
"She has two hundred talents," the Maccabee replied.
Titus smiled and shook his head.
"I ought to keep her there.

Rome must get treasure enough out of that rebellious city to repay her for her pains in subjugating it." "Pay yourself out of another pocket than mine.