That is true, Jesus answered, but they ran apart above the brook, one keeping on to Caesarea, this man followed the path round the rocks (how he did it we are still wondering) and climbed up to our dwelling.  We must find his companion for him.  Jacob promised that every shepherd should hear that a young man was missing.  As soon as a shepherd appears on yon hillside, Jacob said, he shall have the word from me, and he will pass it on.  Jesus looked up into Paul’s anxious face.  We cannot do more, he said, and began to speak with Jacob of rams and ewes just as if Timothy had passed out of their minds.  Paul listened for a while, but finding little to beguile his attention in their talk, he bade Jesus and Jacob good-bye for the present, saying he was returning to the cenoby.  I wonder, he said to himself, as he went up the hill, if they’d take interest in my craft, I could talk to them for a long while of the thread which should always be carefully chosen, and which should be smooth and of equal strength, else, however deftly the shuttle be passed, the woof would be rough.  But no matter, if they’ll get news of Timothy for me I’ll listen to their talk of rams and ewes without complaint.  It was kind of Jacob to say he did not think Timothy had fallen down a precipice, but what does he know? and on his way back Paul tried to recall the ravine that he had seen in the dusk as he leaned over the balcony with Jesus.  And as he passed through the domed gallery he stopped for a moment by the well, it having struck him that he might ask the brother drawing water to come with him to look for Timothy.  If my son were lying at the bottom of the ravine, he said, I should not be able to get him out without help.  Come with me.

The Essene did not know who Paul was, nor of whom he was speaking, and at the end of Paul’s relation the brother answered that there might be two hundred feet from the pathway to the brook, more than that in many places; but thou’lt see for thyself; I may not leave my work.  If a man be dying the Essene, by his rule, must succour him, Paul said.  But I know not, the Essene answered, that any man be dying in the brook.  We believe thy comrade held on to the road to Caesarea.  So it may have befallen, Paul said, but it may be else.  It may be, the Essene answered, but not likely.  He held on to the road to Caesarea, and finding thee no longer with him kept on—­or rolled over the cliff, Paul interrupted.  Well, see for thyself; and if he be at the bottom I’ll come to help thee.  But it is a long way down, and it may be that we have no rope long enough, and without one we cannot reach him, but forgive me, for I see that my words hurt thee.  But how else am I to speak?  I know thy words were meant kindly, and if thy president should ask to see me thou’lt tell him I’ve gone down the terraces and will return as soon as I have made search.  This search should have been made before.  That was not possible; the mist is only; just cleared, the brother answered, and Paul