Chapter 7
Paul was back again in his quiet dining-room, seated at the table and waited on by his mother. Fortunately there was now something they dare talk about and the flight of King Nicodemus was being discussed. Having hastily deposited the silver amphora and other things taken out for the rite and doffed his red cope, Antiochus had run off to collect news. The first time he came back it was with a strange report; the old man had disappeared and his relations were said to have carried him off in order to get possession of his money.
"They say that his dog and his eagle came down and carried him off themselves!" corrected some sceptic jestingly.
"I don't believe in the dog," said one of the old men, "but the eagle is no joke. I remem-
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