"Consent, friend! Strike the bargain," cried all the traders together.
Judas hesitated one moment and then clasped Dathan's hand, saying, "Well, be it so."
"Come, Judas," said Dathan, "we will bring thee straightway to the council." But Judas said, "No, I must first go after the master, and so obtain information in order to make things sure."
Dathan said, "Well, then, we will go to the council and report you in the meantime. But when and where shall we meet?"
"In three hours you will find me in the street of the temple," replied Judas.
Judas then shook hands all around with the traders. "Done!" exclaimed Judas, as Dathan and the traders left him.
Judas was now alone. He walked to and fro under the trees and said to himself: "My word is given; I shall not repent of it. Shall I avoid the good fortune which is coming to meet me? Yes, my fortune is made. I will do what I promised, but will make them pay me in advance. If then the priests succeed in taking him prisoner, if his reign is over—I have assured my own prospects and will besides become famous throughout all Judea, as a man who has helped to save the law of Moses, and shall reap praise and glory. But if the master should gain the victory, then—yes, then I will cast me down repentant at his feet, for he is good. I have never seen him drive the penitent from him. He will take me back again and then I shall have the credit of bringing about the decision. Anyhow, I'll take good care to leave a bridge behind so that should I be unable to go forward I can return. The plan is well thought out. Judas, thou art a prudent man. And yet I feel a little afraid to meet the master, for I shall not be able to bear his keen, searching look, and my comrades will see by my face that I am a——No, I will not be that. I am no traitor! What am I going to do but let the Jews know where the master is to be found? That is no betrayal. Betrayal is something more than that. Away with these fancies! Courage, Judas, thy future is at stake."
Judas, who had started with horror when he first mentioned the word traitor, resolved to play his appointed role and departed to find Jesus.