The Jew, too intensely interested in the great climax enacting in the city below, ceased to remark on this figure.
Presently, however, he looked again into ruined Coenopolis. He saw there this un-uniformed figure wrapped in fierce embrace with a young legionary. Almost before the sentry's astonishment shaped itself into exclamation, the legionary was tumbled aside as if crushed and the old figure hobbled on.
Suddenly there appeared in the path of the wayfarer a galloping horseman, who drew his mount back on his haunches, then spurred him to ride down the old man.
The sentry on the Old Wall made a choked sound, unslung his bow and sent an arrow singing. There was a shout and the figure of the horseman plunged from his saddle face down on the earth.
The wayfarer flung himself away and rushed toward the wall, only a little distance away.
But all Coenopolis seemed to swarm now with legionaries, afoot or horseback.
The Jewish sentry rushed to the edge of the tower overhanging the gate.
"Open!" he shouted below. "One cometh!"
With a rattle and clang of falling bars and chains the gate of the Old Wall swung.
Disregarding the known wishes of Titus, two of the legionaries simultaneously let fly their javelins. But the mute, hobbling uncertainly, was not a steady mark and under the whistle of arrows received and sent, he blundered up the causeway leading to the Gate of the Old Wall, and the portal slowly and ponderously closed behind him.