There meet
him, as he comes, and let him fall quickly from his height of
greatness, and chain him, hand and foot, and bring him hence. You may
go now."
Vergilius bowed and left the home of Herod. As he went away he fell to
thinking of that girdle's end in his bosom. Although it was past the
middle hour of night, he hastened to the palace of Manius. The
assessor, distraught and pale, started as he met him, and Vergilius saw
at once that an end of the other's girdle had been cut away. The young
tribune drew that piece of braided silk from under his tunic.
"It is yours?" said he, tossing it to Manius.
"I--I had not observed," said the other, nervously, "It is part of the
girdle I wear in deference to the people among whom I live. How came
you by it?"
"Fox! Your cunning will not save you. Tell me first how you escaped
the peril into which you had drawn me."
"I do not understand you."
"But I understand you," said Vergilius, with anger. "There are but two
places in the world for you. One is beyond the boundaries of Rome, the
other is the valley of Hinnom.
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