.

" 'You are accused,' he said, 'of inciting sedition, of defying the Law,
of blasphemy, and of breaking the Sabbath day. What have you to answer?'

"The Master made no reply.

"Caiaphas pointed to the levites. 'Here,' he continued, 'are witnesses.'

"He motioned; one of them stepped forward and spoke.

" 'I testify that this man has incited to sedition by denouncing the
members of this reverend council as hypocrites, wolves in sheep's
clothing, blind leaders of the blind; and I further testify that he has
declared no one should follow them.'

" 'What have you to say to that?' Caiaphas snarled. But the Master said
nothing.

"The first levite moved back, and at a gesture from the high-priest
another stepped forward.

" 'I testify that I have seen that man eat, in defiance of the Law, with
unwashed hands, and consort with publicans and people of low repute.'

" 'And what have you to say to that?' Caiaphas asked again. But still the
Master said nothing.

"The second levite moved back, and a third advanced.

" 'I testify that I have heard that man blaspheme in calling God his
father, and in declaring himself to be one with Him.'

" 'Is that blasphemy or is it not?' Caiaphas bawled. But the Master's lips
never moved.

"The third levite gave way to a fourth.

" 'I testify that that man has broken the Sabbath in healing the sick on
that day, and further that he has seduced others to break it. On the
Sabbath I have heard him order a cripple to take up his bed and carry it
to his home. I have heard him also declare that he could destroy the
Temple and rebuild it, in three days, anew.'

"Caiaphas turned to the Master. 'Do you still refuse to answer?' he asked.
'Do you think that silence can save you? Have you heard these witnesses?'

"And as the Master still made no reply, Caiaphas lifted his hand and
cried, 'I adjure you by the Eternal to answer, Are you the Messiah, the
Son of God?'

"In the breathless silence Jesus raised his eyes. He looked at the
high-priest, at the levites, the Scribes. 'You have said it,' he murmured,
and smiled with that air he has.

"Caiaphas grew purple. He caught his gown at the throat and ripped it from
neck to hem. The elders started. I heard them mutter, '_Ish maveth_.' The
high-priest glanced toward them. 'You have heard this ragged blasphemy?'
he exclaimed; and, turning to where the Scribes stood, 'What,' he asked,
'does the Law decree concerning the Sabbath-breaker?'

"On