The disciple pulled himself together with some difficulty and shook the others.  But when Jesus looked at the poor fellows.  He thought:  “What can they do for Me?” He left them and went away, in order to fight through it alone.  And again He prayed:  “Help Me, Lord; Oh, My God, forsake Me not.”  But Heaven was silent, the loneliness was intolerable, and lie once more went back to His disciples.  They were again fast asleep.  They rested so peacefully, tired out by the cruel world, that Jesus thought, Well, let them sleep.  Drops, like blood, ran down His forehead and fell on the ground.  A third time He turned to the Father:  “Forsaken of all, on Thee alone I call.  There is none to hear Me in My agony.  They are all asleep, and the clash of spears is on the road.  Lord God, send Thine angels to protect Me!”

Not a leaf stirred; there was not a breath of air.  Heaven remained deaf and dumb.

“It is the silent word of God.  To His will I submit.”

CHAPTER XXXII

When Judas sat in the room among the twelve, he felt so bewildered and confused that he did not hear all that Jesus said.  So he got up, left the room, and rushed through the empty streets of the city.  “One of those who sit at this table will betray Me!” He knows men’s thoughts.  That gives Him power over all.  But He does not know how to use that power; He must be driven to that.  Judas could think of nothing else.  The thought with which hitherto he had only played now took violent possession of his head and heart.  He went through the city gate, which was not closed at this Passover time.  He would spend the night among the bushes; but see—­there goes the Master along the road with three of His disciples.  Judas stretched out his head between the branches in order to look after them.  They went towards the valley.  Were they going to Bethany?  Now he knew what to do.  He quickly pulled himself together, and went straight off to the Roman captain.

“I know where He is.”

“You want money for this Jew?”

“That’s not my reason for telling you.”

“Yet you tell me.”

“Because I can’t wait any longer.  You will find out who He is, ere long.”

“Well, where is He?"’

“I’ll go with the soldiers.  There are several persons with Him; I will go up to one and kiss his cheek.  That will be He.”

“How much do you want for this service of love, you brute?” asked the captain.

“Insult away!  Seek Him without me.  I know what I’m after.”

“Well, how much do you want?  Are thirty silver pieces enough?”

“The Man is worth more.”

“I do not haggle over prices.”

“Well, give what you please.  I fancy He will cost you very dear.”