The Wanderer's Necklace

und building crowned with men clad in bishops' robes. At least they wore mitres, and each

ot like images, and I think the other party were called Orthodox, but of this I am not sure. So furious was it that I, the general and governor of the prison, had been commanded by those in authority to attend in order to prevent violence. The begin

even of bishops themselves, falling upon their adversaries and beating them with whatever weapon was to hand; yes, even with their pa

the guards could do to protect them. Among the Iconoclasts was a gentle-faced old man with a long beard, one of the bishops from Egypt, who was named Barnabas. He had said little in the debate, which lasted for several days, and when he spoke his words were full of charity and kindness. Still, the image facti

he still lived, together with some others, of whom I remember nothing. So thither I took Barnabas, and there, with the help of th

, and therefore there was a tie between us. In his youth he was a soldier. Having been taken prisoner in some war, he came to Italy, where he was ordained a priest at Rome. Afterwards he was sent as a missionary to Egypt, wh

re was able to discuss these matters with Barnabas the bishop. Of our arguments I remember nothing, save that I pointed out to him that whereas the tree seemed to me to be very good

hat only through war and struggle would the last truth be reached. The spirit was always good, he added, but the fles

I became a Christian and a new man. Now at length I understood what grace it was that had given me courage to offer battle to the heathen god, Odin, and to smite

matter, baptised me in his cell with water taken from his drinking vessel, char

of all that had happened at the prison since I had been appointed its governor. Also I prayed

to see me. I bade him show in the messenger, and presently there entered no chamberlain or eunuch, but a woman wrapped in a dark cloak. When the man had gone and the door was shut, s

e Augusta very well. She has lost several pounds in w

"But you have not come here to tell me of the

my presence that she had done well in choosing you for your office while she was absent from the city, since thereby she had saved the lives of the C?sars and Nobilissimi, desiring as she does that these princes should be kept

; so good that I wonder what st

you of, however-the sting of jealousy. Advancement suc

and she

t least she talks of you to me continually, and once or twice was in half a mind to send for you to the Baths

ink I begin to feel ano

wers on Mount Ida. Why, Olaf, if I were your enemy, as I dare say I shall be some day, for often we learn to hate tho

hey did I do not know that

, Olaf, or both? And what do you mean by your 'now'? Olaf, something has happened to you since last we met. Have you fallen in love with some fair priso

has happened to me. I h

t was after she had read that report of yours-that if you were but a Christian she would be minded to lift you high indee

hough alas! that may not be. Martina, do you not understand that it was for no such reasons as

nd all about Iduna the Fair also. An exalted person told it me, and so did you, although you were not aware that you had done so, for you are not one who can keep a secret to himself. May all the guardian angels help that necklace-lady if ever she should meet another lady whom I will not name. And now why do you talk so much? Are you learning to preach, or what? If you really

of Egypt

ourt. Well, our imperial mistress does not like Barnabas, because he does not like images, and that may

s the spirit that I seek, Martina,

you, what can it matter if they are or are not there? Leave them to the blind eyes and little minds. And now I must be gone, who can listen to your gossi

imprisonment, or worse, she threw her cloak about her, and

vidently I was expected, for one of the chamberlains, on seeing me, bowed and bade me be seated, then left t

s wise to meet good fortune half way. But why do you come clad in full armour? It i

at I was on d

says that the sight of it always makes her feel cold after s

leaving me clad in my p

come before the Emp

ed with a wondrous garment of silk broidered with gold, such as nobles of high rank wore at festivals. This robe, which fitted as though it

der of the Empress, I and

hat I must be careful that the robe matched the colour of the necklace you wear

ngrily, "or a beast bei

heathen talk? Remember, I pray you, that y

replied; and that moment a chamberlain,

ina as I followed him. "Be sure to

e, reclining upon couches in the old Roman fashion, one on either side of a narrow table on which stood fruits and flagons

at grew low upon her forehead and was parted in the middle, she wore a diadem of gold in which were set emeralds to match the beetles of the necklace. The Augustus was arrayed in the festal garments of a C?sar, also covered with a purple cloak. He was a heavy-faced and somewhat stupid-

able and saluted first the

he asked, gl

the State Prison. You remember, you wished me to send

s guard, have you not been told that you sh

in the land where I was bred I was taught that if a man and a woman w

your mother taught you that, not your father. Next time you enter the imperial chamber be ple

remember that Emperors and Empresses are no

ging his mind, laughed, as did his mother. He filled

after you have done so, our

up and holdi

the world like twin stars in the sky. All hail t

scarce wet your lips. Do you fear that it is poisoned, as you say yonder fruits are?" And he pointed to a side-

e; "still, my servant is welcome to the gift

began, when Constantine, who, while we spoke, had swall

you must claim it, I to whom the

he floor, spilling the wine, of which I,

huckster over a piece of worked gold like Jews in a market? G

same I knew, for the glass was labelled in my own writing and in that of the physic

ordered the fruit to be poisoned, as my mother says, is a lie, and may God curse the tongue that spoke it. I will show you that it was a lie," and plunging his hand into the spirit of the jar, he drew out two of the fi

ere placed in that bottle in my

s they are poisoned. I'll show him, and you too, mother,

lent, her arms folded on her white bosom, h

ugusta. Still she sat there like a statue, and it came into my mind that it

t touch that fruit," and steppin

s feet and bega

o the Emperor that he shall not do this or that? By all the ima

at the insult. "I tell you, Sire," I went on, leaving out cer

that fig or I do, so that we may know who speaks the truth. If you won't,

ecessary," I remarked. "If I eat the fig, will the

I shall know the truth, and for the truth I li

eat it, will th

en of them. Am I one to be hectored by

s glorious Emperor. I eat, and when you are as I soon shall be, as will happen even to a

ed the fig

panther springing on its prey, Irene had leapt from her couc

od, what have I done that I should have given birth to such a hound? Whoever poisoned them, these fruits are poisoned, as has been pro

f wine, which, oddly enough, se

ays the figs are poisoned, offered to eat one of them if I promised I would not do so, which means, if he is right, that he offered to give his life for mine. Yet I have done nothing for him except call him hard names; and as he is your servant he has nothing to look for from me if I should win the fight with you at last. Now I have heard much talk of miracles, but this is the onl

y. He departed, and with incredible swiftness the beast and its keeper arrived. It was a large animal of the baboon tribe,

id the Emperor, handing the

t caught and devoured, and presently, when its fears were allayed, threw it one of the figs, which it swallowed, doubtless t

e, "now do you b

Saint, I salute you. You have saved my life and if it should come my way, by

yet another cup of wine

body of the dead ape and also left the chamber,