"But surely God will protect him!"
"God spared not his own son," said the old man solemnly. "He suffered him to be tortured and to be slain at the hands of these very men; and the servant is not greater than his Lord."
The other was silent for a time; all the brightness had faded out from his face. "Who is within now?" he said, at length.
"Saul of Tarsus," replied Simon, briefly.
"I shall warn them of the household of John of this thou hast told me?"
"Assuredly, but let it not be bruited abroad; there is nothing to be gained by it, and perhaps much to be lost. If the young man Stephen--" but the clang of the bell interrupted him, and he hastened to open. "Enter, my lord, I pray thee. It is so, my lord Annas is within, and with him the Rabbi Saul."
Iddo bowed with instinctive respect as the tall, gaunt figure swept by him and disappeared adown the passageway. "He is no longer High Priest," he said, in a half whisper, "and it perchance hath irked him to resign the office."
"There are other reasons for his haggard look," said the old man sagely; "but it is not for such as I to prate concerning the affairs of Caiaphas. The Lord hath dealt with him, as he doth also deal with all men; perchance that he may draw them to himself at the last."
"Nay; dost thou think then that it is possible for such as the murderers of our Lord to be forgiven?"
"'Tis assuredly not for us to set limits upon the compassion and love of the Father of our Lord Jesus--who also prayed for them in his agony. If he can save me, he is able to save any one; for I know my own heart how that it is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked."