"Tell the master of the games that I will have him entertain me here to-day, after the middle hour, in my palace court.

Bid him bring beast and gladiator and the strong men of the prisons.

Let him not forget the traitors.

I would have, also, a thousand maids to sing and dance for me." The king looked down, impatiently, at his trembling hands.

He flung a wrathful gesture, and again that bestial voice: "Go, bid him bring them!" So at the middle hour a wonderful scene was beginning in the great court of Herod's palace.