"See!" exclaimed the Jew.
He tore back the priest's garment, and there was the red mark of the torch outlined distinctly against the white skin.
"Ha!" cried Uzza, starting forward, the veins of his forehead swelling with excitement. "The very mark! The secret mark of the priests among those who worship fire and the sun! This, O Mohammed, is not only a priest, but a priest who has fed the temple fires, and as such has been pledged to uphold the Guebre religion at whatever cost."
Yusuf said nothing.
"Can you not speak, Yusuf?" asked Mohammed. "Have you no word to say to all this?"
"It is all true, O Mohammed," replied Yusuf, quietly. "It is true that in my youthful days I was a priest at Guebre altars. Now, I am not Yusuf the Magian priest, but Yusuf the Christian, and a humble follower of our Most High God and his Son Jesus."
"Dare you thus proclaim yourself a Christian to my very face?" exclaimed Mohammed. "Magian or Christian, ye are all alike enemies. Off with him! Do with him as you will, Uzza,—yet," relenting, "I commend him to your mercy." He turned abruptly and left the apartment.
Yusuf was immediately taken and thrown into a close, dark room. He was still bound hand and foot.
The little Jew entered, and sat down with his head on one side.
