ldiers thrust him forward, crying, "Shall we have to carry
thee in our arms? Go on! Thou hast not far to go, only to Calvary;
there upon the cross thou canst rest in comfort."

By this time they had approached the precincts of Pilate's house. Then
said Caiaphas to the soldiers, "Be still; we have to announce our
coming." And they were still.

The rabbi said, "Go to the door and knock."

It was done, and Quintus came out, saying, "What does this crowd of
people want here?"

The rabbi replied that the council had assembled there. Quintus
promised to announce them at once, and the rabbi turning to the members
of the Sanhedrin, said, "Do you hear? He will announce our presence
without delay."

Caiaphas addressed those who were following him: "Ye members of the
Sanhedrin, if you have at heart the holy traditions, our honor, the
tranquility of the whole land, then consider well this moment. It
decides between us and that deceiver. If you are men in whom flows the
blood of your fathers, then listen to us. An imperishable monument you
will set up for yourselves. Be firm in your resolve."

Then cried the priests, "Our fathers forever; death to the enemy of the
nation!"

"Do not rest, then," said Caiaphas, "until he is blotted out of the
number of the living!"

And they cried again, "We will not rest, we demand his death, his
blood."

Then the soldiers turned to Jesus and said, "Hearest thou that, O king
and prophet?"

Then came Pilate out with his attendants upon the balcony of the house;
two spearmen on either side advanced to the foot of the steps of the
balcony, and stood spear in hand whilst the audience listed. Then
Caiaphas stepped forward in front of the crowd, and, bowing low, thus
began, "Governor and representative of the great Caesar, health and
blessing to thee." Then Caiaphas continued: "We have brought here
before thy judgment seat a man of the name of Jesus that thou mayest
consent to the execution of the death sentence pronounced against him
by the Sanhedrin."

Pilate answered, "Bring him forth," and the soldiers led Jesus, out
before Pilate so that he stood on the right hand of the balcony.
Pilate having looked upon him asked, "What accusations have you to
bring against this man?"

[Illustration: "What accusations have you to bring against this man?"]

Caiaphas, speaking with some surprise, said, "If he were not a great
malefactor we would not have delivered him over to thee, but ha