Then, he turned and went back into the counting-room.
Peter was behind his grating.
"Who and what art thou?" the usurer demanded, with no little admiration in his tone.
"I am," Marsyas answered, "a doctor of Laws, a master of languages, a doctor of medicines, a scholar of the College at Jerusalem, a postulant Essene."
The reply was intentionally full.
"And a steward for love, only!"
"Only for a time. When I can repay thee a debt long standing, I shall cease to serve at all."
The usurer's eyes brightened. "A debt," he repeated softly. "Is this my fortunate day? Which of the bankrupts who owe me has been replenished?"
"Not yet, the one of whom I speak," Marsyas replied. "Hast thou heard of Herod Agrippa?"
"Herod Agrippa! Evil day that he borrowed a talent of me, never to return it!"