But the ring I saved by hiding it in my mouth while they searched me." Marcus groaned, but Nehushta said quickly: "Did she give you no message?
Tell us your story and be swift." So he told them all.
"How long was this ago ?" asked Nehushta.
"Nearly five months.

For a hundred and twenty days I was kept as a slave at Jerusalem, labouring at the levelling of the walls." "Five months," said Marcus.

"Tell me, do you know whether Titus has sailed ?" "I heard that he had departed from Alexandria on his road to Rome." "Miriam will walk in his Triumph, and afterwards be sold as a slave! Woman, there is no time to lose," said Marcus.
"None," answered Nehushta; "still, there is time to thank this faithful messenger." "Ay," said Marcus.

"Man, what reward do you seek?
Whatever it be it shall be paid to you who have endured so much.

Yes, it shall be paid, though here and now I have no money." "I seek no reward," replied the Essene, "who have but fulfilled my promise and done my duty." "Yet Heaven shall reward you," said Nehushta.