"It was bricked up until yesterday and safe from robbers." "So!" commented that judge, "you lived alone in a deserted tower like a bat or an owl, and without food or water.

Then these must have been brought to you from without the walls, perhaps by some secret passage that was known to none, down which you loosed the Prefect, but had no time to follow him.

Woman, you are a Roman spy, as a Christian well might be.

I say that she is worthy of death." Then Benoni rose and rent his robes.
"Does not enough blood run through these holy courts ?" he asked, "that you must seek that of the innocent also?
What is your oath?
To do justice and to convict only upon clear, unshaken testimony.

Where is this testimony?
What is there to show that the girl Miriam had any dealings with this Marcus, whom she had not seen for years?
In the Holy Name I protest against this iniquity." "It is natural that you should protest," said one of his brethren.
Then they fell into discussion, for the question perplexed them sorely, who, although they were savage, still wished to be honest.
Suddenly Simeon looked up, for a thought struck him.
"Search her," he said, "she is in good case, she may have food, or the secret of food, about her, or," he added--"other things." Now two hungry-looking officers of the court seized Miriam and rent her robe open at the breast with their rough hands, since they would not be at the pains of loosening it.
"See," cried one of them, "here are pearls, fit wear for so fine a lady.
Shall we take them ?" "Fool, let the trinkets be," answered Simeon angrily.