"Listen, then," he began in a whisper. "Dost thou remember Him whom they crucified at Golgotha, a Passover, four years ago?"
Eleazar nodded, but Saul made no sign.
"Know ye that they killed the plant after it had ripened," the Levite hastened on. "The seed of His teaching hath spread abroad and wherever it lodgeth it hath taken root and multiplied. Wherefore, there is a multitude of offspring from the single stem."
Saul stood up. He did not gain much in stature by rising, but the temper of the man towered gigantic over the impatience of Eleazar and the craft of the Levite.
"What accusation is this that thou levelest at Judea?" he demanded.
"A truth!" Joel replied.
"That Israel hath a blasphemer among them, which hath been spared, concealed and not put away?" questioned Saul.
"Dare ye?" the Levite cried.
"Dare ye not!" Saul answered sternly. "It is the Law!"
The Levite came toward him. "Go thou unto the High Priest Jonathan," he whispered evilly; "he hath work for thee to do!"