The soldier immediately stretched himself on the straw and, bidding the others hold their peace, fell asleep promptly.
After a long time, when the sounds from the pallet assured Agrippa that the soldier could not be easily aroused, he arose and came over to the side of the young Essene.
The torch-light for the officer of the guard, flaring on the wall without, shone through the high ventilation niche in the cell and cast a faint illumination over the dusky interior. Under the half-light the face of Marsyas looked fallen and lifeless,--his dark hair in disorder on his forehead, his shadowed eyes and slight black beard making for the increase of pallor by contrast. Agrippa looked at him a moment before the young man had noticed his approach.
"The medicine for thy hurts, young brother," he said to himself, "is only one--the comforting arms of a woman. I have had experience; I know! But if thou art an Essene that comfort is denied thee. Now, I wonder what demon-ridden Jew it was who first thought of an order of celibates!"
He drew closer and the somber eyes of the young man lighted upon him.
"So thou dost not sleep," Agrippa said in Hebrew. Marsyas' face showed a little surprise at the choice of tongue, but he answered in the same language.
"Better here than there," Agrippa responded under his breath, indicating the direction of Jonathan's stronghold.
"Listen," he continued, "and may Morpheus plug this soldier's ears if he knows our fathers' ancient tongue. Canst see my face, brother?"
"Thou sayest thou art a Galilean," Agrippa pursued. "Look now and see if thou discoverest aught familiar in me."
Marsyas raised himself on an elbow and gazed into the Herod's face. Finally he said slowly:
"I have seen thee in Tiberias--in power--as--as prefect! Thou art Herod Agrippa!"
There was silence; the Essene's eyes filled with question and the Herod gave him time to think.
"I had thee arrested," Agrippa resumed when he believed that Marsyas' ideas had reached the point of asking what the Herod had to do with him. "To-morrow thou wilt be fined for striking me and turned loose--to Jonathan--unless thou art helped to escape."
"I understand," said Marsyas with growing light, but without enthusiasm.