Chapter 29

But no Angel had intervened. Nor had Peter been permitted to see the dying Felix. He had been arrested in the courtyard of the Academy upon arrival there; and, after a hasty trial on the charge of conspiracy to overthrow the Government, he was thrown into prison.

‘Is it true, then,’ the Judge had demanded, ‘that you believe, and have taught others to believe, in the coming of a King who will rule the world?’

‘Yes,’ Peter had replied boldly, ‘that is true!’

‘You are a fool!’ the Judge had growled, adding, ‘But an honest and fearless fool. You have not the manner and speech of a seditionist. If you will renounce this idiotic theory and promise not to speak of it again, this court will let you off with a prison sentence. Otherwise you are condemned of treason by the words of your own mouth, and the penalty is death. Which would you have?’

The courtroom had been very quiet.

Mencius had dared to rise and ask permission to speak. The Judge showed surprise, but replied deferentially, ‘It will be our pleasure, Proconsul Mencius, to hear anything you wish to say.’

‘Your Grace,’ began Mencius, ‘this man Peter is well known to me. He has no designs on the Empire. He has incited no one to rebellion. He has healed the sick and comforted the down-trodden and distressed. This Kingdom in which he believes is not a temporal but a spiritual Kingdom. It has naught to do with Caesar!’

Then Mencius had sat down and the Judge had faced Peter, inquiring: ‘Is this true?’

It had been a trying moment. It was not an easy question. Mencius had done his best to find a way out for him. After some delay, Peter had found his voice.

‘Sir,’ he said, ‘the Proconsul has told you truly that the Kingdom of the Christos is a spiritual Kingdom. But when it rules the hearts of men everywhere it will be their highest allegiance. Peace will reign throughout the earth. And when it comes, there will be no need of armies; no, nor of magistrates.’

‘And what becomes of Caesar?’ demanded the Judge, sternly.

‘Our Christos, sir,’ declared Peter, ‘will rule the world and every knee shall bow before him!’

The heavy silence now had been broken only by the rattling of the papyrus sheet as the Judge recorded his decision on the indictment. Then he arose and said: ‘You have left this court no alternative, Peter. The law is the law. It is not in our province to amend it, not even to save the life of a misguided fanatic. You will be taken hence to prison and in thirty days you will be put to death!’

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