People had heard the noise and were looking out of the windows. Philip and the Zealot came through the doorway.
"What is the matter with your son?" they asked sympathetically.
"He has falling sickness," answered the man. "He often hurts himself this way." He was wiping blood from a cut on the boy's pale forehead. The lad opened his eyes and tried to rise.
"Stay there, my son," urged the father. He turned to Philip and the Zealot. "Can you tell me where I can find Jesus of Nazareth? I have heard wonderful reports of his power to heal."
The two disciples glanced at each other. At that moment Judas and Levi came out of the inn.
"This man is looking for the Master," said Philip.
"Are you his followers?" cried the man. "I have traveled for five days to find you! If only you will heal my son!"
Travelers had stopped and clustered around the lad on the bench. Almost all the guests at the inn had come outside. The four disciples looked at one another; none offered to heal the boy.
"Some of you visited my own village and healed many who had evil spirits," said the father hopefully. He could not understand why the men hesitated. They still made no move toward the boy. Andrew came out of the inn.
"Can you heal my son?" the man asked Andrew. Andrew glanced at the others. He knew why they hung back. He looked at the boy. The father's voice was urgent. The people watched intently as Andrew stepped up to the boy, lying limp but conscious.