"Again, now; and again, and again." He listened for a breath, and as silence came he added, "There, that will do." Neither spoke for a little time.
"I wish I could make you feel how dearly I love my father," he went on, addressing his friends now and hiding his claws with revolting guile and all unconscious that he had shown them.
Again a breath of silence, in which Manius thought of the black leopard when he lay making those playful and caressing movements on the floor.
And there came to the heart of Ben Joreb a fear that this man might prove more terrible than his father.
"We feel it," said Manius, with inner smiles that showed not upon his face.
"Then be servants of my love." "And of our own welfare ?" "Certainly! You shall each have a palace in Jerusalem and fifty thousand aurei; and you, Manius, shall command the forces on land and sea, and you, John ben Joreb, of the tribe of Aaron, shall be high-priest." "I agree," said Manius, an overwhelming cupidity in the words.
"And I agree," said the Jew, who had entered upon this intrigue with motives of patriotism, and now, although suspicious of the result, was committed beyond a chance of turning.
"Angels of mercy!" Antipater exclaimed, rising and taking a hand of each in his.

"My love shall be ever a shield and weapon for you.

One other thing.

The couriers who bring to Rome news of my father's death--bid them hurry and take with them, also, word of the illness of that dog Vergilius.

After they leave let him not linger in needless pain--do you understand me?
For that, I say, each of you shall have five thousand aurei added to his wealth." The others nodded.
"Now take this--it may be useful," whispered the prince of Judea, handing a little golden box to the assessor.