XIX
ROBERT THE RIGHTEOUS
“Glory to God!” cried Theron, and flung away his sword. He turned and ran towards the stake, from which Perpetua was at once unfastened, and caught her in his arms. Hieronymus hurried to the side of the fallen man, whose head was now raised on the knee of one soldier, while another unfastened his helmet. All the great multitude in the arena leaned forward eagerly to see the face of Hildebrand. Only the figure like the King remained unmoved and impassive. But when the challenger’s helmet was removed, the spectators saw with astonishment the twisted features of a face that they knew for the face of the fool Diogenes.
A strange murmur of surprise rippled along the tiers. Sigurd Olafson called out the name in wonder to the archbishop.
“The fool Diogenes!”
Theron, leaving Perpetua, leaned over his antagonist and muttered, “The fool Diogenes!”
All over the great amphitheatre the words ran, “The fool Diogenes!”