Chapter 29

For the past few days, Peter had meditated deeply upon the incident that had brought him to prison.

Mencius, returning from another long voyage, had come out one morning, very much agitated, to say that the son of his longtime friend, Prefect Sergius of Caesarea, who had just finished his course in the Military Academy, was dangerously ill.

‘This splendid young fellow, Felix, is the apple of his father’s eye,’ Mencius had said. ‘He is very near death, I fear. He is burning up with a fever. Since yesterday he has been unconscious. The physicians admit they are helpless…Now I cannot ask you to go to him, Peter. You would certainly be arrested. Sarpedon, who has charge of the case, would see to that. You must not be seen there.’

‘What would you have me do?’ Peter had inquired.

‘Can’t you pray for his recovery?’ entreated Mencius.

For a long moment Peter had wrestled with his problem. Then he had said, ‘I shall go with you, Mencius.’

‘It is too great a risk! You would be seen by many. Doubtless Sarpedon himself will be there. He would leave no stone unturned to have you brought to trial.’

‘But if, by the Holy Spirit, I should heal the boy—’

‘No; that would make no difference to Sarpedon. His professional pride is more important than the life of young Felix.’

‘Be that as it may, Mencius, I am going with you!’

‘Come, then,’ said Mencius in a shaken voice. ‘Perhaps an Angel will stand guard over you.’

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