"How many in your party?"

"But myself."

"Have you ever been to Jerusalem?"

"Never."

"How, then," Costobarus asked, with a keen look, "came Philadelphus to
appoint you to conduct Laodice to the city?"

"His retinue is small; he could not come himself, and he chose me as
safer than the other member of his party," was the direct reply.

Costobarus studied this reply before he questioned his son-in-law's
courier further.

"Jerusalem, they say, is in disorder. How will you get my daughter to
shelter when you have reached the city?"

"Philadelphus hath instructed me that there will be a Greek at the Sun
Gate daily, awaiting us. He will wear a purple turban embroidered with
a golden star. He will conduct us to the house of Amaryllis the
Seleucid, who is pledged to the Maccabee's cause. Philadelphus will be
in her house."

"Why hers?" Costobarus persisted.

"Because it is the only secure house in Jerusalem. She stands in the