Like most ignorant men when they think, or pretend to think, that they are being imposed upon, the jailer raised his voice to a bullying shout. Nathan looked apprehensively over his shoulder toward the entrance of the prison. The harsh tone echoed between the narrow walls and might be easily heard at the gate, where several men were stationed.
"Give me your keys," he said quietly. "You know the penalty for disobeying an order."
The jailer stepped to the door of the cell and stood defiantly, with his back against the bars.
From within the cell the man's figure was outlined against the light of the lamp. Chares moved forward in the darkness behind him with noiseless tread, and his fingers closed suddenly around the jailer's throat. The wretch gasped once and threw up his chin, struggling convulsively to free himself from the iron clutch that encircled his neck. His struggles were in vain. The Theban drew him silently back against the bars. His feet scuffled on the stone floor, and his short spear clattered from his hand.
Nathan quickly detached the keys from the jailer's belt and unlocked the door of the cell. Clearchus slipped through the open door, picking up the jailer's spear as he went. Chares relaxed his hold, and the man's body slipped in a huddled heap to the floor.
"Come," said the Israelite. "We have no time to lose."
What he said was true. From the direction of the entrance came the sound of voices and the flickering of a torch danced upon the walls.
"Neshak! Ho, Neshak, where are you?" called a voice.
"They are seeking the jailer," Nathan whispered. "Come!"
He darted down the corridor into the darkness, with the two Greeks at his heels. At the end of a dozen yards they turned quickly to the left, up a flight of stairs, and then through other passageways, until they reached a second short stairway and emerged upon the roof.
They stood panting and listening beside the head of the stair. Above them the wide arch of the sky was sown with stars. From the black opening at their feet came a confused sound of cries and shouting.
"They have found the jailer's body," Nathan said. "I fear we are lost. It shall be as Jehovah wills!"
He drew a short sword from its sheath at his side.