He turned off the Roman road and struck into the hills to the west. The servitors of the Alexandrian caught up amphoras and hastened after him.
In less than an hour he reappeared before the man under the fringed tent.
"Thy servants are returned. Peace and farewell."
"Nay, but it is the noon. Wilt thou not tarry and rest?"
"I go," Marsyas said resolutely, "to save a life."
"Ah, then I did wrong to delay thee! I remember that Essenes are physicians."
"We can not cure the wicked of their evil intent, so I haste to save one threatened with another's malice. My friend is in peril. I must go unto Nazareth and return unto Jerusalem, before I can save him. And even now I may be too late!"
The magistrate searched the young man's face and then the half-incredulous curiosity passed out of his manner.
"Pardon mine idle wasting of thy precious minutes," he said soberly. "Go, and the Lord speed thee!"
Marsyas bowed low, and keeping his eyes fixed on the gray earth, lest they stray in search of the flower face, he turned again toward Nazareth. He heard a very soft, very hurried and almost imperious whisper, as he moved away, but he knew that it was not for him to hear, and he did not tarry. But a word from the magistrate brought him up.