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the populace。 She clenched the railing of the balcony so fiercely as
to break her nails； the two stone lions at her back seemed to bite her
shoulders and join their voices to hers。
Antipas followed her example； and priests； soldiers； and Pharisees
cried aloud together for vengeance； echoed by the rest of the
gathering； who were indignant that a mere slave should dare to delay
their pleasures。
Again Mannaeus left the hall； covering his face with his hands。
The guests found the second delay longer than the first。 It seemed
tedious to every one。
Presently a sound of footsteps was heard in the corridor without； then
silence fell again。 The suspense was becoming intolerable。
Suddenly the door was flung open and Mannaeus entered； holding at
arm's length； grasping it by the hair； the head of Iaokanann。 His
appearance was greeted with a burst of applause； which filled him with
pride and revived his courage。
He placed the head upon a charger and offered it to Salome； who had
descended the steps to receive it。 She remounted to the balcony； with
a light step； and in another moment the charger was carried about from
one table to another by the elderly female slave whom the tetrarch had
observed in the morning on the balcony of a neighbouring house； and
later in the chamber of Herodias。
When she approached him with her ghastly burden； he turned away his
head to avoid looking at it。 Vitellius threw upon it an indifferent
glance。
Mannaeus descended from the pavilion； took the charger from the woman；
and exhibited the head to the Roman captains； then to all the guests
on that side of the hall。
They looked at it curiously。
The sharp blade of the sword had cut into the jaw with a swift
downward stroke。 The corners of the mouth were drawn； as if by a
convulsion。 Clots of blood besprinkled the beard。 The closed eyelids
had a shell…like transparency； and the candelabra on every side
lighted up the gruesome object with terrible distinctness。
Mannaeus arrived at the table where the priests were seated。 One of
them turned the charger about curiously； to look at the head from all
sides。 Then Mannaeus； having entirely regained his courage； placed the
charger before Aulus； who had just awakened from a short doze； and
finally he brought it again to Antipas and set it down upon the table
beside him。 Tears were running down the cheeks of the tetrarch。
The lights began to flicker and die out。 The guests departed； and at
last no one remained in the great hall save Antipas； who sat leaning
his head upon his hands； gazing at the head of Iaokanann； and Phanuel；
who stood in the centre of the largest nave and prayed aloud； with
uplifted arms。
At sunrise the two men who had been sent on a mission by Iaokanann
some time before； returned to the castle； bringing the answer so long
awaited and hoped for。
They whispered the message to Phanuel； who received it with rapture。
Then he showed them the lugubrious object； still resting on the
charger amid the ruins of the feast。 One of the men said：
〃Be comforted！ He has descended among the dead in order to announce
the coming of the Christ！〃
And in that moment the Essene comprehended the words of Iaokanann： 〃In
order that His glory may increase； mine must diminish！〃
Then the three； taking with them the head of John the Baptist； set out
upon the road to Galilee； and as the burden was heavy； each man bore
it awhile in turn。
End