No more than I suspected, Antipater said to himself behind his impassive face. Then he concentrated on the drama being acted out by the dignitaries. Secret amusement stirred within, but his face told nothing.

When the last footstep of Herod’s guard faded from the ear, and the cheering rocked the streets, the Seventy and One seemed to awaken from a sleep. Paces came alive, men stirred, three moved to the assistance of Hyrcanus and got him again in his seat. Sameas got calmly to his feet and spoke.

“I wonder if any of you, my assessors, really comprehended what has happened here today.”

“Do you think that we are all deaf and blind, Sameas?” Simon demanded testily. “How could we avoid comprehending what was done here?”

“You saw with your eyes, you heard with your ears, but are you certain that you really realize what happened?”

“Well, what happened, Sameas?” Eleazer asked with heavy sarcasm.

“Have any of us here ever witnessed such a case as we have seen today, that a man who is called to take his trial before us, ever stood in such a manner before us? Every other man who has come to trial before us presents himself in a submissive manner and like one in fear, and endeavors to move us to pity and compassion. He has his hair disheveled, and wears a black, mourning garment, and prostrates himself with his face to the floor before us until we give him leave to arise.”

Sameas paused and swept the faces of his colleagues with a searching glance.

“But how did the admirable Herod appear? Accused of murder, he stood before us clothed in purple, with his hair finely trimmed, and adorned with the most costly ornaments. His armed men were about him. Neither the president of this body, nor yet Hyrcanus our high priest, dared open the trial for terror.”