Vergilius: A Tale of the Coming of Christ

ading a long address from the legate of Syria. He had a way of dividing his thought between reading and small affairs of the state. His legate recited all he had been able to learn of the

some knowledge of the religion of Judea," said the legate. "Of course, you will not be able

eet of vellum and rubbe

ever, woman-loving Vergilius?" he thought. Then

the letter he had been conve

girl, I-" he paused, looking intently at the le

hispered. "I know one who will giv

Vergilius will give what is

ror paus

t was the inq

tle mirror from the table and looked down upon it-"can accomplish many things," he added. "It will

e leaving as Vergilius entered. The emperor, now alone sav

on. You shall be assistant procurator in Jerusalem, with rank of tribune. It may be you shall have command of the castle. Three days from now take the south road with Manius and a troo

, touched the arm of the young m

ill be known to you and to me only. You will understand

the night before, and of the shrewdness of the great father in return

ung knight. "But-my beloved father-I was hop

ther, rising with extended hands. "There is time enough; and remem

y but inexorable, and Vergilius knew it.

ntipater-do y

t w

r-that new king the Jews are looking for-if he should come, I suppose he will report to me, but-but let me know what

, indeed, consider what to do with him. Yet he had shame of his interest in "that foolish gossip" of an alien race. Therefor

llar of fire in the sunlight; he could see the beginning of those many roads radiating from it to far peripheries of the empire. Tens of thousands had turned their backs upon it, leaving with slow feet, some to live in distant, i

a hideous, unwelcome thought grew slowly, creeping over him. This golden mile-stone was the centre of a great spider-

ighty web?" he thought. "Love and its peace have come to me

plomacy, have kept him at home, for, after all, he was a

x! He needed a spy, and one of character and noble blood. How