Again the council of the covenant was in session.

Herod, unknown to all, sat in the darkness of the council chamber.

The intrigue of Salome and the treachery of Manius had led the Lion of Judea to his prey.

Swords of fate were in the gloom that surrounded the traitors.
Now there had been, that night, a great discussion of the new king, and suddenly a man sitting by the side of Vergilius had risen.

He began speaking in a strange voice, which had, however, some quality familiar to the young Roman.