By streets--if they may be so called--trending north and south, with intersections hardly up to the dignity of alleys, they passed rapidly round the Akra district to the Tower of Mariamne, from which the way was short to the grand gate of the walled heights.

In going, they overtook, or were overtaken by, people like themselves stirred to wrath by news of the proposed desecration.

When, at length, they reached the gate of the Praetorium, the procession of elders and rabbis had passed in with a great following, leaving a greater crowd clamoring outside.
A centurion kept the entrance with a guard drawn up full armed under the beautiful marble battlements.

The sun struck the soldiers fervidly on helm and shield; but they kept their ranks indifferent alike to its dazzle and to the mouthings of the rabble.

Through the open bronze gates a current of citizens poured in, while a much lesser one poured out.
"What is going on ?" one of the Galileans asked an outcomer.
"Nothing," was the reply.