Malus, and that he wishes it transferred to you, and that he has sent
this police force which I see behind you to enforce his wishes, if
necessary.—Are you the captain of this force?” he added, looking at a man
who stood a few steps behind Antis.
“I am,” he said.
“In ordinary cases,” said Aleph slowly, as he surveyed the man—“in
ordinary cases we should be warranted in putting you in immediate
possession; but this case is extraordinary—so extraordinary that we
have a right to presume that neither Malus nor the chief of the police
understood the circumstances when they gave the order just shown me.”
“We have no discretion,” said the captain. “We are sent here to put this
man in possession, not to judge of the righteousness of it.”
“Do you mean to say that if you should see reason to believe that your
force of some six men is quite insufficient to accomplish your object,
you would not be at liberty to return to your superiors for further
instructions? Are you not expected to use discretion in judging whether
such is the case?”
“Certainly: but such does not appear to be the present case,” said the
officer with a chuckle.
Without noticing the manner of the man, Aleph went on, “Do you mean to
say that if you should see grave reason to fear that this man in whose
behalf you are interfering would use the house to waylay and murder Malus
and your chief, you would not be warranted in at least returning for
further instructions?”
“Well—in such a case as you suppose, I should of course return: but this
is not such a case, nor anything like it,” said the man doggedly.
“Very considerably like it: for I shall show you grave reason to fear
that this man” (he pointed his finger at Antis) “is capable of doing all
that and worse—that he is a desperado of the worst sort, and——”
Here Antis broke in, screaming out, “IT IS FALSE! IT IS FALSE!”
Aleph fixed on him eyes that blazed calmly into his for a moment, and
then said sternly, “You know it is _true_, you ruffian. It is written in
your face for everybody to see. And everybody sees it. If you want to be
taken for anything less than a desperado, wear a mask over your tell-tale
face. So do not interrupt me again;” and he gave him another look so full
of insight and authority and menace, and at the same time of a certain
pitying wonder (as the man who walks easily finds it hard to realize that
anybody else is lame, so the good man finds it hard to understand how
anybody can be a villain), that he dropped his eyes, grew pale and red by
turns, and made no further attempt to speak.
Aleph resumed, turning again to the captain: “I was saying that I would
show you grave reason for thinking this man a desperado of the worst
kind; that he is a robber and murderer by profession; that if put in
possession of this house he will make it a den of thieves and murderers.
He is strongly suspected of designs on the life of his sick wife, who for
some days has been in a critical condition, and whom he has long abused.
It is for such reasons that her friends have excluded him from the house.
Do you suppose that your principals, if responsibly informed of these
facts, would persist in wishing you to hand over these premises and the
sick woman to such a man?”
“I admit,” answered the officer, “that if you can show that he is such a
dangerous character, and that putting him in possession will endanger the
public as well as the sick woman, or even can show that this is so in the
opinion of responsible parties, I ought to return and report the fact to
my superiors. Who are the persons who make these charges?”
“His wife, supported by Seti, the Egyptian high-priest, the lady Rachel,
daughter of the Alabarch, and myself, a member of the University.”
The captain had for some time appeared uneasy. He now folded his arms,
shifted repeatedly from one foot to another, fumbled aimlessly with the
short sword at his side. Aleph watched him narrowly; and at length said
with a grave irony of tone:
“Perhaps you do not consider Seti and the Alabarch as responsible
parties!”
But immediately changing his tone and raising his voice, he added, “I
call to witness both those before me in the street and those behind me
in the house” (half turning as he spoke, he became aware that he had
already been followed into the passage by all his friends), “that I
have repeatedly informed this officer that this house has been occupied
by parties whose responsibility it were absurd to question, for the
sole purpose of preventing its becoming a danger to life and a public
nuisance, and that if he puts it into the possession of this man he
will, in their opinion, imperil the lives and property of the people of
Alexandria. I wish you all to distinctly notice this. Take notice, also,
that we do not propose to resist the law—only to retain possession till
the law can be properly informed of facts that were unknown to it at the
time its order was given. And so our very moderate request is that this
officer return to headquarters, report what he has heard, and ask for new
instructions. If the officials then repeat their order, it will be with
full knowledge of the responsibility they are incurring, and they can
properly be held to account for all the consequences: and this must be
a very serious account unless the laws and public opinion of Alexandria
differ very considerably from those of Heaven.”
“It is he of the Diapleuston!” cried a voice from the street. “Give him a
cheer!”
And a great cheer there was; for though the street was a retired one,
quite a body of spectators had gathered one by one behind the police
and were watching the conference with lively interest. They now showed
audibly on which side their partialities had settled. That cry, _It is
he of the Diapleuston_, opened their mouths, and opened them widely.
But, long before they had chosen their side, Antis made a very sorry
appearance over against Aleph; and as the citizens watched the lofty
composure of the young man and his princely bearing, and caught a glimpse
of Shaphan and Nathan and the womanly star in the background, they
thought the house was well occupied as it was. And they proceeded to say
so. They became very free in expressing their minds.
One cried out scornfully, “Turning out _such_ to put in _such_!”
“Go away!” cried a second, as he shook his fist energetically at the
police.
“Off with you!” shouted a third, with both hands in the air, and with the
air of one driving away a flock of geese.
“Go!” screamed a fourth, “and you may confidentially tell those who sent
you that you were not mean enough, as well as not strong enough, to do
the work set you!”
And so the cries went on in a very amusing (to the citizens) and
significant variety—went on growing in strength and urgency.
The captain plainly saw that but one course was open to him. He must make
a virtue of necessity, and withdraw for the present with as good grace as
he could. So he said that perhaps it would be well for him to report at
headquarters what had been told him, and see what his principals thought
of it. Of course, they did not intend to establish a den of thieves and
murderers. So off he marched with his detachment—Antis closely following
with a face in which fear and mortification and rage were contending for
the mastery, and greeted as he passed with many a _See the hangdog_ and
other like complimentary expressions.
Aleph bowed to the friendly citizens with a smile, got another hearty
cheer in return, and closed the door.
Shaphan and Nathan were warm in their congratulations. As for Rachel—her
eyes were more lustrous than ever, and a richer color was in her cheek,
but she said nothing. She did not even look at him.
The two brothers, however, were by no means sure that Malus would give
over his effort. It was not his way. He made it a point to carry his
point on all occasions. To be sure, the case as Aleph had presented
it seemed wholly true and reasonable; it even seemed unsafe to Malus
personally to proceed; but then he was a man of many resources, had grown
venturesome by the habit of success. So they were afraid that it was only
a brief respite that had been obtained.
Aleph was inclined to the same view. He had little doubt but that Malus
would recognize his antagonist, and would find in the fact additional
motive to persevere. So he expressed his regret that it was not possible
to remove Miriam at once to some other house.
This brought back Rachel from her abstraction. She went at once to the
bedside of Miriam, who clasped her hands and looked up piteously into the
loving eyes that beamed inquiringly upon her.
“Do you think that you could bear to be carried home now?” they asked.
“Right away! right away!” broke out the poor woman with unexpected
strength of voice. “It is better to die on the way than to stay here.
I should die of fear. Let _him_ not leave me”—and she turned her eyes
beseechingly toward Aleph.
He approached, took her hand gently, and said a few soothing words while
he watched her. She grew quiet and peaceful as her eyes rested on his
face.
“It seems to me,” he at length said, “that she can better go than stay.
She can summon resolution for the one, but not for the other. The effort
may even reinforce her vitality.”
“Then let it be done,” said Rachel. “My sedan is large, and I can take
her in my arms, and ease all the motions, and the bearers will move very
carefully. Shall we do it?”—she bent to the ear of the sick woman.
Miriam looked at her gratefully, and said with some hesitation:
“If _he_ will go.”
“Certainly he will go,” cried Rachel, “and will walk by the side of the
chair, and will steady it with his hand, and will every now and then look
in upon us through the curtains to see that we are all right; and when we
reach home he will take you out all carefully and tenderly and carry you
in his strong arms up to your own room and lay you on your own bed—_of
course_ he will. He shall not have my approbation for what he has done
to-day till he sees us both safe at home”—and the great dewy eyes flashed
half merrily and half timidly on Aleph.
Aleph bowed. “The approbation of the lady Rachel is very far from being
a matter of indifference to me. So I will do as she says. We will all
go—our friends of the khans, the leech, and all the servants, save the
janitor, who on demand shall put Malus in possession. Do you approve?”—he
had turned toward Shaphan and his brother.
“We do,” said Shaphan, “but before we go into the street, I wish to
mention a fact which perhaps may concern you. We saw Malus to-day in
close talk with Simon, the famous magician; and later in the day, on
going to your khan, we found that Simon and the beautiful Helena, whom he
sometimes calls his daughter and sometimes his sister, had established
themselves there and had placarded the neighborhood with invitations to
the public to come and witness his wonderful performances at a stater a
head. For as much more fee he promises to put the resources of his art
at the service of any visitor; whether he wishes to have his fortune
told, or to consult spirits, or to prosper in love, or in war, or in
money-getting.”
“Have I not heard,” said Rachel anxiously, “that this magician is an
agent of Malus and is suspected of aiding him in his undertakings by the
magical art?”
“As much is said,” answered the Jew. “The two men are cousins, though
not often seen together. It is supposed, however, by some that there is
much secret intercourse between them, and that the great success of Malus
in his affairs is largely due to his being in league with evil spirits.
This, of course, he stoutly denies. He laughs at the idea. At the same
time he speaks highly of his cousin, the sorcerer, and does not a little
to give him patronage.”
“And yet,” said Aleph, “the Law is severe against sorcerers.”
“But Malus denies that Simon _is_ a sorcerer in the sense used in our
Scriptures. He does not deal with evil spirits. He is only a man of
great skill and learning, who has studied nature profoundly and so found
out many scientific means of doing many wonderful things, and even
of subjecting the elemental spirits that inhabit water and fire and
lightnings and stars to his will and the public service. His spirits
are not devils. His sorcery is only science. And God forbid that the
Law should denounce science. So Malus presents the case. The two men
certainly uphold each other and play into each other’s hands. I wonder
what mischief they are brewing now between them!”
“I thank you for this information,” said Aleph. “It may prove of service
to me. But now let us proceed to the work before us.”
Under the direction of Rachel, the servants in a few moments collected
the various articles of furniture and comfort that had been sent from
the mansion of Alexander. She then placed herself in the sedan: and,
the nurse having wrapped Miriam in the bed-coverings, Aleph carefully
took the light burden in his arms and placed it in the arms of Rachel.
As carefully the porters lifted the chair and made their way into the
street—preceded by the two brothers, accompanied by Aleph, and followed
by the remaining servants. In a few moments the house was in the solitary
charge of the janitor, with instructions to wait a while and, if no
one should appear, to lock the door and carry the key to the police
headquarters for the district.
The escort stopped at the private family entrance. Here the two brothers
took leave; and Aleph, receiving the sick woman into his arms, followed
Rachel into the mansion, along halls and courts and flights of steps,
to the room the nurse had formerly occupied. When he had laid his light
burden on the bed and had satisfied himself that she had borne the
transfer without serious harm, though much wearied and needing to be left
in profound quiet, he turned to depart.
The sick woman beckoned feebly to Rachel—more with her eye than with her
hand. The young lady drew near and bent to listen to the faint whispers.
“She wishes me to thank you for what you have done for her,” said the
maiden after a moment, “and to beg that you will not forsake her now that
she is safe among friends.”
Aleph looked inquiringly at the lovely interpreter—not knowing exactly
how to interpret the interpretation.
She suddenly turned to Miriam. “Of course he will not forsake you. He is
coming here often to see you—to see how you get on. No good physician
neglects his patient till she is well; and not even then if he is wise.
Besides, he wants to talk more with you about Jesus the Messiah as soon
as you are able to hear it. Yes, _of course_ he is coming, coming often,
coming to-morrow. He will suffer in our good opinion if he does not. So
now close your eyes and rest in peace.”
Instead of doing this, Miriam burst into a flood of tears and nervous
sobbing. Up to this time she could not fully realize that the dreadful
nightmare of her life was over. But now that she found herself in her
own room, and looking about on the familiar objects, and recognizing one
thing after another that she used to call hers, and saw only kind faces
beaming upon her—all at once a sense of absolute safety came surging in
upon her like a mighty billow. Ah, what a relief—Heaven in place of Hell!
Then all the flood-gates of feeling gave way. It was some time before
she could control herself enough to articulate. But at last the words
came—though very faintly:
“Home at last! Thank God, who has fulfilled the words of Jesus and sent
me the deliverer whom he promised!”
The great sea went down as suddenly as it had risen. In a few moments the
exhausted woman closed her eyes and was sleeping peacefully.
Aleph and Rachel stood together for a little, watching the peaceful
slumber.
“The experiment seems more successful than I feared,” said Aleph at
length; “I am glad that we made it.”
Her voice trembled a little, and her color came, as she said, without
turning toward him and with downcast eyes, “And he to whom the success
is due, and who is doubtless the friend whom Jesus promised to Miriam,
has now the express and warm approbation that I promised him, and which I
have found it hard to keep back till now.”
Aleph answered, “Your compensation is large—I fear much too large for
doing what to me has been a pleasure and an education. And yet I cannot
decline to accept an approval which my heart values so highly.”
In parting he extended his hand. She placed her own within it. He carried
the snowy prisoner in grave and reverent courtesy to his lips. Was she
offended?
IX.
THE MAGICIAN.
Επι τὰς άφανεῖς καθίστανται, μαντικήν τε καὶ χρησμούς καὶ
τοιαῦτα.
THUCYDIDES, v. 103.
_They have recourse to the invisible realm—to necromancy, and
fortune-telling, and such things._
1. The greatest show on earth.
2. Simon Magus at his best.
3. Also at his worst.
4. Avaunt, Sathanas!
IX.
THE MAGICIAN.
On his return to the khan, as Aleph entered the Egyptian quarter, he
began to notice the papyrus placards of which Shaphan had spoken; and,
as he advanced, they became numerous—pasted on walls, booths, boxes,
whatever conspicuous object presented itself. Had the art of printing
been known to Simon, he plainly would have been a famous advertiser. As
it was, he had made a very liberal use of the scribes of the city. Aleph
stopped to read one immense sheet, beautifully written on, which a boy
was carrying aloft on a pole. This sheet informed the public that Simon,
the greatest magician and master of occult wisdom in modern times, would
exhibit his wonderful powers this eve at the khan near the Serapeum at
the rate of two drachmas a head. The price for admission had been put
so low in order that the entertainment might be within reach of all.
Let all come. They would see the greatest show on earth. Whatever the
wizards of Thessaly, the astrologers of Chaldea, the sybils of Magna
Grecia, the soothsayers and diviners of Etruria, and the sorcerers and
necromancers of ancient Egypt and India could do, he was able to do—and
more. Let all the people come and see. For an extra didrachma there
would be seats reserved. Seats or no seats, the people were sure to get
more than their money’s worth. If any wanted their fortunes told by the
stars; if they wanted to know the critical times in their lives so that
they might be on their guard; if they wanted to know what would be the
best times for any undertakings they have in mind, or to have such helps
in them as the elemental spirits can give, or to compound love potions,
or to communicate with distant and even dead friends, or to defend
themselves from enemies—in short, whoever wanted help of any kind that he
could not get by the common and natural means, now was the opportunity
of a life-time; let him come to Simon, the great magician of the age.
He will not be disappointed. Admission to the court of the khan one
didrachma—seats under the piazza two didrachmas.
Cimon was found waiting just outside the khan; from the inside of which
came the sound of busy axes and hammers. He proposed that they should go
for their evening meal to some quiet stall in the neighboring Egyptian
market and there talk over their concerns. Accordingly, they were soon
established in a nook by themselves, and Aleph proceeded to relate his
experiences during the day thus far.
In return, Cimon said that the object of Seti in calling him aside was
to ask whether he had as yet seen any sign of a hostile movement on the
part of the son of the Governor; also whether he knew of any reason why
Malus would favor such a movement. The first question he answered in
the negative: as to the second, he was obliged to say that there were
circumstances that made it likely that Malus would favor any scheme to
their disadvantage of which he might happen to learn. On this, Seti said
that, knowing well as he did the violent and revengeful character of
the young Roman, he had thought it best to have his movements watched;
and had discovered that, since the disturbance at the Diapleuston, and
especially within the last twenty-four hours, there had been considerable
stealthy intercourse between him and Malus. It looked very much as if
they were concerting mischief. After what Cimon had told him he had
no doubt as to the objects of the mischief. Might he ask whether the
circumstances referred to were such as to enlist Malus thoroughly in any
enterprise, however bad, against himself and his young friend? To this
Cimon had answered that the circumstances were indeed such that their
entire disappearance from the scene would free Malus from a great peril.
“Then,” said Seti emphatically, “he will join the Roman in trying to do
you all the mischief he can. He will have no scruple as to way or means.”
After Aleph and Rachel had left, Seti had still detained him for a
while with various examples of the unscrupulous craft and daring of the
man—so plainly for the purpose of putting them on their guard against
him that he was almost on the point of explaining their relations to
Malus in full; especially after Seti had concluded with asking that for
the sake of greater security they would exchange their present quarters
for rooms in the Serapeum. “It was an unusual thing to do, not to say
unprecedented; but the circumstances were unusual.” So he begged that
they would transfer themselves without delay. But Cimon thought that he
ought to confer with Aleph about the matter before accepting the offer.
So, thanking the priest for it, and promising to report the next day, he
took leave.
“Would it not have been well,” said Aleph, “to leave in the hands of the
high-priest that parcel which I saw you making up last evening of the
results of your inquiries as to Malus—I mean for safe keeping?”
“That is what I did,” replied the Greek; “going back for that purpose
after I had made another visit and added to the parcel some account of
that.”
He then proceeded to say that, finding it still so early that he might
hope to find the custom house superintendent at his post, he determined
to call upon him and ascertain the result of the inquiry he had promised
to make. This he did. The official reported that the eminent merchant
Malus had entered the office shortly after Cimon had left it, and, on
hearing of the request to examine the registers, had kindly offered to
solicit a permit from the Governor. It would be very little trouble, as
he was about going to Bruchium on business of his own. But he proved
unsuccessful. Despite his efforts, the most he could obtain was a permit
for _himself_ to make the examination in behalf of the stranger; and then
only in case the person should approve himself to him as a person of
standing and consideration. Of course this ended the matter. Cimon bowed
and retired.
He was not disappointed. From the moment when he met Malus in the passage
he had not counted on any other issue; though without any idea of the
ingenious way in which it would be brought about.
“How much will this failure be likely to embarrass our cause?” inquired
Aleph.
“It makes it impossible for us to charge Malus with a crime against the
State; that is, the crime of smuggling, or of collusion with some custom
house officials to defraud the government.”
“I understand. You have certified copies of the receipts at Myos Hermos;
also certified copies of the receipts given for the same goods by Malus
as harbor-master here; so that you know that Malus has received all the
goods sent. If any of these do not appear on the registers here, it must
be because he has brought them into the city without passing them through
the custom house, or, if through the custom house, is in conspiracy with
some of its officials to defraud the State—a crime more likely to get
prompt attention than one that is merely against an individual—and a
foreigner.”
“Exactly. Still our case, as it now stands, would naturally compel a
formal examination of the registers: for we can prove that Malus has
received everything up to the gates of the custom house. Beyond the
gates he declares himself to have received much less—that is, much has
been lost in passing through the custom house. This is really charging
its officials with crime. Such a charge, it would seem, must compel an
examination of the registers. Still I would have been glad to set the
offense against the State in the foreground of the battle.”