“Art thou not the brother of Eleazar Ben-Manahem, who is sitting yonder in his place as a member of the Sanhedrim, before whom thou hast to plead?”
Ere he replied, Calchas stole a look at Eleazar, who forced himself to return it. There was something in the elder brother’s face that caused the younger to turn his eyes away, and bend them on the ground. The fierce old president, impatient of that momentary delay, broke out angrily—
“Nay, look up, man! no subterfuges will avail thee here. Remember the fate of those who dare to lie in the presence of the Sanhedrim!”
Calchas fixed his eye on the president’s in mild rebuke.
“I am in a higher presence than thine, Matthias son of Boethus,” said he; “neither need the children of Manahem be adjured to speak truth before God and man!”
“Hast thou heard the accusation brought against thee by John of Gischala?” proceeded the Nasi. “Canst thou answer it with an open brow and a clean heart?”
“I heard the charge,” replied Calchas, “and I am ready to answer it for myself, and for him who is in bonds by my side. Have I permission to clear myself before the Sanhedrim?”
“Thou wilt have enough to do to slip thine own neck out of the yoke,” answered Matthias sternly. “Colleagues,” he added, looking round, “ye have heard the accuser—will ye now listen to the accused?”
Then Phineas, speaking for the rest, answered: “We will hear him, Nasi, without favour, we will judge him without mercy.”
Thus encouraged, Calchas shook the white hair from his brow, and entered boldly on his defence.