The Prisoner in the Third Cell Read Online Free Page A

finished, he stepped back.
    â€œThree of your disciples have asked to see you. They will be allowed to come next week. I understand they are bringing you some food.”
    Protheus grabbed the rope and was about to pull himself up. He paused, turned, and looked at John full on. “I have heard you speak in the wilderness. I regret . . .”
    â€œIt is all right,” replied John. “The guilt is not yours.”
    With that Protheus pulled himself up to the floor above, closed the cell door, and addressed all the soldiers on duty.
    â€œListen to me. Within whatever bounds that damnable cell affords, you make this man comfortable; supply him with food and water and whatever else he needs. Meet his needs to the limits of the restrictions Herod has placed upon him. One more thing. I have clearly posted John’s name on the wall beside his cell door. I want every man in this room to remember who it is in that pit.”
    A voice called out from the first cell. “What did you say? Have they brought John the Baptist to this place?”
    Protheus sighed. He and every other man in the room knew what was coming next.

Chapter 10
    â€œHerod did it, didn’t he? That damnable monster.
    â€œJohn, is that you? Do you remember me? I was with you when you were but a child. Oh, I was a man of greatness then. Look at me now!
    â€œHerod took my home; he took my money. Without a trial, without even a hearing! Then he threw me in this hellhole. Now Herod is the one who is rich! Rich on my wealth, and I am but a wretch. I swear a curse upon you, Herod . . . you monster . . . wicked man.
    â€œI served him twenty years. Faithfully. No man has ever lived who has been so unjustly treated as I. It is unfair what he did, I tell you. Now look what that heinous man has done; the ogre has gone out and brought a prophet of God to this cursed place.
    â€œI tell you, every problem, every pain, every sorrow in Judea finds its origin in Herod. There is no justice on this earth, no mercy . . . no pity. It is all his fault. All of it.
    â€œJohn, can you hear me? Mark my word, you will rot here like the rest of us. Out there in your desert, you said one thing that is true. There is no end to the wickedness of the human heart. And Herod is the worst of all. I would be a happy, prosperous man today if it were not for that cold-blooded Herod, and the others . . . the others . . . those wicked men who conspired against me with him to take everything I had.”
    â€œParnach, control your tongue,” shouted one of the guards.
    There was a pause. The prisoner in the first cell grew quiet. Unfortunately, though, his shouts had awakened the prisoner in the cell next to him.

Chapter 11
    A thin, bony man moved up to the door of his cell and looked wildly into the eyes of the captain of the guards.
    â€œJohn? Here? Are you telling me John is here in the prison of Machaerus? Are you telling me, Protheus, that he has been thrown into cell three , of all places?”
    â€œYes, Hannel, Herod has arrested John and had him brought here.”
    â€œHas God no pity? Has God no feelings?” asked Hannel in a cold, thin voice.
    â€œDoes devotion mean nothing to Him? I once trusted in God, just as John does. Are you really here, John? Do you remember me? I lived a devout and holy life before God. You remember, don’t you, John? Well, look at what it has brought me. And you, see what devotion to God has brought you ? Is this to be the end for men who have loved God and obeyed Him? What kind of a God is it that will allow such things as we now suffer? God, You have thrown one of Your very own servants into a slimy hole!”
    Hannel thrust one arm through the bars of his cell, clenched his fist, raised his face, and spat curses at God. He then ended his ravings with one last pronouncement. “Never again will I serve a God who treats men this way. When I needed Him, where was He? John, where is your God when you