Καιρὸς πρὸς άνθρώπων βραχύ μέτρον έχει.—Pindar,Pyth.iv. 509.Opportunity for men has a brief measure.1. Where are they?2. Call on the governor.3. Invoice the University.4. Let Piso do his best.5. Where is God?
Καιρὸς πρὸς άνθρώπων βραχύ μέτρον έχει.
—Pindar,Pyth.iv. 509.
Opportunity for men has a brief measure.
Early the next morning Seti knocked at the door of our friends. Getting no answer, he repeated the knock. Still hearing nothing, he opened the door and went in. The room was vacant; as was also the sleeping-room adjoining. Plainly the latter had not been occupied during the night. He was alarmed.
Summoning two servants to follow him, he proceeded to the khan with rapid steps. What was his dismay to learn from the landlord that, shortly after Cimon and Aleph came in, the evening before, a body of the city police appeared and demanded to search their room for jewelry stolen from the warehouse of Malus. Permission being readily given, the Cretan agent of Malus, well known in the city, who accompanied the party and conducted the search, went fumbling about on his hands and knees in the darker parts of the room; and finally held up, with an exclamation of delight, a small casket which he declared was the missing article, and had been missing ever since Cimon’s visit to the warehouse. Whereupon the chief of the police showed a warrant for arresting Cimon. The young man protested, and declared that he saw the Cretan slyly whip the casket out of the bosom of his own tunic. But the older manthought that the police were right in claiming that they had no option in the case—he would go with them without resistance, and his friend could take such measures on the morrow for his relief as he might find best. So he went off with the party, leaving the young man standing at the gate.
But this party had scarcely disappeared, when a band of Roman soldiers came up and surrounded Aleph. “Are you Aleph, the Chaldean?” demanded the leader.
“So I am called,” said the young man.
“Then we have been sent to arrest you.”
“For what?” demanded Aleph.
“For assault and battery here last night; and as a suspected enemy of the emperor.”
“Show me your warrant,” demanded the young man.
The leader produced a document bearing what purported to be the seal and signature of the governor. “Is this document genuine?” said Aleph to the landlord, who was standing by. The landlord looked at the paper and nodded.
“Then I will go with you,” said the young man calmly. “But may I not first communicate my situation to my friends, that they may have an opportunity to set me right with the authorities?”
“We were not authorized to allow delay for any purpose.”
“You will have to delay,” said Aleph, “for the purpose of hearing and allowing these by-standers” (several of the guests of the khan had by this time come up) “to hear me declare that I am innocent of the charges brought against me, and can prove as much, opportunity being given me.”
A soldier approached to bind him. Aleph motioned him away with his cane. “I have said that I will go with you. I now say that I will go with you without attempting to escape while going, provided you leave me free and in possession of this cane. Otherwise the man who approaches me does so at his peril.”
After some consultation his demand was granted; and he went off quietly with the party, saying to the landlord as he went, “You can at least tell what you have seen and heard.”
Such was the account given to Seti. He remained merely to ask a simple question: “Could there be any doubt as to the party being real Roman soldiers?” The landlord thought not: they had the equipment of Roman soldiers; and, besides, their bearing and step together were professional.
The high-priest hastened back to the Serapeum, assumed his pontifical robes, summoned a large train of servants, and proceeded in his official chariot, drawn by four white mules, to the Roman headquarters in Bruchium. Arrived at the palace of the governor, a herald stepped before the gate, blew a trumpet, and cried: “Seti of the Serapeum, high-priest of Egypt and metropolitan, desires audience of Avilleus Flaccus, Proprætor and Legate of Cæsar and Governor of Egypt.”
In a few moments the gates were thrown open, and the whole party entered a large court, where, at the foot of a flight of marble steps, Seti alighted and was conducted by an obsequious usher into the audience-room and presence of the Roman governor.
Seti was dignified and formal; coolly saluting hisexcellency with all the usual formalities, but not a jot beyond. On the other hand, Flaccus, an ordinary man to look at but wearing the extraordinary toga permitted to the imperial representative, was exceedingly demonstrative and deferential in welcoming his illustrious visitor. He seemed to feel that, belonging only to the Equestrian Order and with no ancestors save those whose names had been written with water and in water, he was socially far from being equal to the freezingly cold and stately Egyptian pontiff whose sires had reigned in palaces and temples before Rome was founded.
Seti cut short the ceremonial. Would the governor be good enough to say whether he had given an order for the arrest of a regularly enrolled member of the University, an inmate of the Serapeum, and a particular friend of himself and the Alabarch Alexander?
Flaccus appeared to consult his memory. He did not remember to have given any such order.
“An order to arrest one Aleph, the Chaldean, as a disturber of the public peace and a suspected enemy of the emperor?” suggested Seti.
No, he did not think that he could have given such an order.
“An order executed last evening by a company of Roman soldiers?” continued the priest in the same icy tone.
“Certainly not.”
“I am glad to hear it, and to have your authority for denying the report that is getting abroad. It may also be for your interest to deny it personally as you have opportunity; for the young man in question is a great favorite, not only with the Alabarch and myself, butalso with the young men in the University, who represent the noblest Roman families and a great interest with the emperor and the Cæsar.”
“I think,” said Flaccus, with a not very successful attempt at an arch look, “that I know of somebody who is likely to have more interest with Germanicus than any of them.”
“However that may be,” said Seti emphatically, “it is certain that the young man will have such justice as our best efforts can secure.”
“What can I do?” said the Roman uneasily.
“I will tell your excellency,” said the Egyptian. “It is understood in the city that a party of Roman soldiers, under a written warrant from you, arrested and carried off, we know not where, a privileged member of the University, for whom the best vouchers can be found. But, as I now learn from you, that warrant must have been forged; and what appeared to be Roman soldiers, were not such, but other parties in disguise. Now I would respectfully suggest that you give me and the other friends of the young man written authority to search for and rescue him at whatever cost to those who have carried him off. This will answer our purpose, and at the same time serve to defend you from the suspicions of the people.”
Flaccus hesitated, bit his lip, twirled a gold badge that hung from his neck, looked at every object in the room save Seti. Seti looked at nothing save him.
The priest rose to go. “Time is of great consequence to me this morning. Am I to understand that your excellency declines to authorize me in writing to rescue from robbers and murderers a young man for whom theAlabarch and myself, as well as the University at large, offer to stand vouchers?”
“I do not see why you need a written authorization from me,” said Flaccus, beginning to sharpen a reed.
“I did not say that we need such a document.Youneed to give it.” He said this last in a low but a very distinct and measured tone of voice.
“Well, I will give it,” said the governor with sudden decision—“if it will oblige you and your friends.”
“Itwilloblige us,” said Seti; and in a few moments he took punctilious leave with the desired document in his possession.
He returned at once to the Serapeum. Resuming his ordinary dress, he proceeded to the lecture room, where, as yet, he found only two or three students, among whom was Publius Cornelius. He beckoned them to him, and asked such co-operation as they could give in a matter he was about to bring before the whole class. Shortly they came pouring in, rather obstreperously, I fear, as college boys have been wont to do from the beginning; but as soon as they set eyes on their teacher there was a profound hush; for they saw at once that something unusual had happened—that the Seti they had hitherto known had given place to quite a different Seti and a much younger man. All the old dignity and authority were in his face and bearing; but somehow there had come into the old look a roused and forceful expression such as a crisis might be expected to call out in a young man largely endowed both as a man of thought and action. Calm, watchful, mindful of all that is passing and likely to pass, prepared to throw his whole force into action at a moment’s warning. All the students were in a hush ofexpectation as they saw the new man sitting on the old bema.
He began with saying that he had no lecture for them that morning. But he had something better than a lecture—an opportunity for a good action. He then concisely and simply narrated his morning experiences, and held up the document he had obtained from Flaccus. Perhaps the young man had been killed. Perhaps he was only imprisoned in some out-of-the-way place. It was for his friends to find out the facts as soon as possible. He knew of none who could do as prompt and good service in the matter as the generous-minded fellow-students of the extraordinary young man who had so commended himself to their admiration. Would they undertake it?
The response was instantaneous. Many sprang to their feet, with flushed faces and hot, indignant words.
“A conspiracy!” cried one.
“An insult to the University,” cried another. Some called out “Draco” interrogatively; and others, of the bolder and more highly connected of the Romans, among whom was Publius Cornelius, shook their fists significantly in the direction of the Cæsareum. One thing was evident to the watchful eye of Seti—that there would be no lack of sympathetic readiness on the part of the Serapeum to act as he wished. What did he wish?
This was brought out by Cornelius, who declared that they were all of one mind to further any plan that their venerable instructor might have to propose; and moved that a committee be appointed to confer with him as to what had best be done. He also proposed that this committee should secure the co-operation of the Museum, which he had no doubt would be enthusiastically given.
“Besides,” he added, as he repeated his emphatic gesture toward the north-east, “the Museum is nearer than ourselves to the sources of this mischief and can explore them better.”
A committee was appointed—including Cornelius. These gathered about Seti. His plan was that some students should find out whether Draco and the son of Flaccus were present in the city all the last night—that others should find out whether any soldiers were then absent from their quarters, and if so to whose force they belonged—that still others should watch the gates and harbors for their return and note the time and direction of it—that still others should rummage the streets, especially in the neighborhood of the khan Rachotis, for some who had observed the party, noticed the direction they took, perhaps witnessed an embarkation. The students interested were so many, they could, by properly distributing themselves, make all these inquiries at once. No time should be lost. Let them report to him.
Feeling sure that the young men would need no further impulse, the priest left them, and, stopping at his room for the parcel which Cimon had put in his hands, proceeded to the office of Alexander’s legal adviser. This was in a wing of the extensive palace of the great banker whose affairs furnished the greater part of the business of the lawyer. The man was both a Roman and a Greek—his father being from Tusculum, and his mother from Athens. He possessed in a remarkable degree the mental characteristics of both nations—the practical and resolute character of the one, and the acuteness and subtlety of the other. To a profound knowledge of Roman law, especially as applied in the provinces, he added a familiaracquaintance with the usages of Alexandria as a business community—having lived in the city from childhood. Alexander early discovered his abilities, and by degrees made him a confidential adviser in legal matters, especially after he became a proselyte and attached himself to the Diapleuston.
Marcus Piso was not much of a man to look at—at the first look. Small, slender, somewhat stooping, no longer young—it was necessary to be with him for a time and watch his face and manner—his keen eye and protuberant brow—as he dispatched business with one and another. Then he inspired confidence both as to his ability and integrity. Then one said, “Alexander is not mistaken in his man.”
The little man didnotshow to advantage as he rose to receive his imposing visitor. But, what was better under the circumstances, he at once conducted Seti to an inner office and listened with all his ears, and eyes too, to a brief account of our friends, of what had just transpired, and of the measures taken for the discovery of Aleph.
“I tell you these facts,” said Seti, “to interest you as much as possible in these men whom the Alabarch and myself intend to support and befriend to the utmost of our power.”
“I have been strongly interested in them ever since the affair at the Diapleuston, which I happened to witness; and my thoughts were running on them when you came in; for news of the arrest of Cimon for theft had just reached me.”
“As if a man having credit with Alexander to the amount of 200,000 gold staters was likely to pilfer! No, the charge and the arrest were gotten up to prevent ordiscredit an impending suit by Cimon against Malus. And Aleph has been killed, or spirited away, partly to aid the same purpose, and partly to gratify the malice of certain others whose names you can guess.”
Seti then produced Cimon’s parcel, and continued: “I am told that you will find in this parcel all needful particulars in regard to the proposed suit against Malus. Please examine it at once and if you find it warrants legal proceedings institute them without delay. Of course Malus is strongly intrenched and will fight to the death; but we will back you with all our forces. I am sure that I speak for Alexander as well as for myself. Meanwhile, whatever you can do to cancel or relieve the imprisonment of Cimon, please do. The case of the young man I will look after myself.”
Seti’s next visit was to Rachel—not by way of the street, but by a private door in the inner office of the advocate, by which he was accustomed to communicate with the banker. He found his granddaughter in Miriam’s room. And he saw at once, in the looks of the two women, that the evil news had preceded him. Miriam looked totally exhausted, and lay on her bed feebly moaning, with closed eyes; her hand held by Rachel. As to Rachel herself, Seti was struck by the change that had taken place. A touch of mingled amazement and suffering was in her face; but into the profoundly emotional expression had come “nescio quod preclarum et singulare”—a look of self-control that had been fought for and taken possession of by fire and sword; such a victory that another like it would be ruin. A certain new and powerful expression was in every feature. Lights and shadows of the heroic were hiding in thedepths of her eyes and in the curves of her lips. She came and sat on a stool at his feet.
“Grandfather, we have tried to wait patiently for you. You see that we know all. Now tell us what you have done; for I know you have done something.”
Seti told of his morning movements.
“Do you think it possible that they havekilledhim?” she asked with awe in her voice and white lips.
“Sometimes I think not; and yet it would be hard to give my reasons. His enemies are capable of any crime. Perhaps the only ground of my opinion or feeling that he has not been killed is the wonderful resources, both of body and mind, which he has for self-protection. I have never seen a young man with such powers, and such a complete and never-failing mastery of them. He is a natural prince and hero, and somehow and somewhere has had a training to match. He is just the man for great and desperate situations. He is an empire in himself. I hardly wonder at Cornelius, who says of him that he has in his veins the blood of the immortal gods. Body and soul, he is built like a temple. What Karnac was, Aleph the Chaldean is.”
“It is even so, grandfather,” murmured the maiden; and she buried her burning face in her hands.
“This gives me hope,” continued Seti. “Besides, as I have told you, he refused to be bound or to give up his staff; and the same wariness that led him to retain this means of defense would be apt to keep him on his guard against assault. Yes, such a great and resourceful nature would not be killed easily.”
“Saynot at all, grandfather. Let us notimaginesuch a thing, lest it take the heart out of us,” and she shuddered.
Seti looked at her keenly for a moment. She suddenly drew herself up as she sat, tossed away with both hands the heavy tresses that had fallen over her face, and looked up with wide-open eyes into his. He laid his hand tenderly on her head, and sighed before saying:
“It is as you say. We must hope for the best if we would escape the worst. Aleph the Chaldeanisa living prisoner somewhere, and we must find and release him as soon as possible. So I must go.”
“Take Miriam and me as active, though invisible, partners in this matter, dear grandfather,” pleaded Rachel. “It is necessary for us if not for you. We cannot sit here and wait, and wait, with folded hands till somebody brings us word of what others are doing, or trying to do. It would kill us. We have kept ourselves alive thus far only by praying: now we must have something to do to help our praying. You see how the case stands with me—it is anecessity.”
“But what can you do?”
“We can at leasttryto do in some womanly ways. This will be a relief to us. You are working by means of the famous University; perhaps we can work quite as effectively by a humbler class of agents. At least we cantry: and our thinking and planning may save us if they do not save him. In my father’s absence I want your approval.”
“I think you are right,” said the priest slowly. “So be it, then. It may be that your womanly devisings will be the first to penetrate the mystery. I shall not complain if it prove so.”
Seti kissed her and departed, saying to himself, “Some trees are killed by decapitation, but this tree becomes thriftier and fairer than ever.”
Wasit decapitation? Well, if it was not that, it was something that marvellously resembled it. Seti was an experienced man, and his faculty of insight was great: and I would sooner take his judgment in the matter than that of most. He thought the trial that had befallen his granddaughter terribly severe. I think the same. I should be sorry to have that stroke repeated. Nobly as the first blow has been borne, I could not answer for a second. There are limits to successful pruning. A plant may be decapitated once too often. Seti thought so too, and he carried away with him a greater burden than he brought; for now he understood that the question was no longer how to save Aleph, but how to save Aleph and Rachel.
The Egyptian went home praying—praying toAmun Re. An able lawyer, an enthusiastic University, a resourceful high-priest armed with an official document, were all very well in their place; but they needed presiding over and empowering by the Supernatural. Would He do it? In the course of his long observation, Seti had known some striking cases of poetical justice in human affairs. The wicked had been taken in their own toils. Into the pits they had dug for their neighbors they had fallen themselves. But it was often otherwise. The righteous had fallen before the wicked. Craft and power and powerful money had proved too mighty for goodness and justice. If good causes had always thrived, the Romans would not be in Egypt, nor Flaccus in the Cæsareum, nor Malus in the grandest warehouse ofEmporium Street. So who can tell whatAmun Rewill do? And yet prayer is the breath of the nations and the ages. Nature herself says,Let us pray.
So the thoughts of Seti prayed, and prayed mightily, as he bent his steps to the Serapeum.