e witnesses one question--only a few
words," said Albert.

"That is against all forms of justice," said the chancellor; "I must
protest against it; it is an infringement on my office."

"Let it be, Ambrosius," said the Duke. "He may ask a question, with all
my heart, of the poor sinner, who has no chance of escape."

"Dieterich von Kraft," said Albert, addressing the prisoner, "how came
you to be in Stuttgardt?"

The forlorn scribe, whom death seemed already to have made his prey,
turning his eyes towards him, his teeth chattering from fear, was
scarcely able to mutter a word in answer. "I was sent here by the
council of Ulm, as secretary to the governor."

"How was it that you appeared before the burghers of Stuttgardt,
yesterday evening?" said Albert.

"The governor ordered me to remind them of their duty and oath, should
there, perchance, be an insurrection against the League."

"Don't you perceive, he was only acting under orders?" said Albert,
turning to the Duke. "Who took you prisoner?" he continued with the
examination.

"The man standing beside you."

"Did you take this gentleman into custody? then you must have heard
what he said; what did he say?" said Albert to the man.

"Yes, I heard what he said," answered the burgher; "he had spoken but
six words, when burghermaster Hartmann threw him down from the bank. I
remember what they were, namely: 'Recollect, my friends, what will the
illustrious council of the League say!' That was all, and then Hartmann
took him by the collar. But there stands Doctor Calmus, who made a
longer speech."

The Duke roared with laughter, first looking at Albert and then at the
chancellor, who turned pale, and was so disconcerted, that he could
scarcely muster up courage to join in his master's hilarity. "Were
those all the dangerous words he spoke--is this the charge of high
treason--'What would the council of the League say?' Poor Kraft! These
few words have brought your neck within a hair's breadth of the
executioner's sword. We have often heard our friends say, 'What will
folks think, when they hear the Duke is in the country again?'
therefore, I will not punish him. What think you of it, Sturmfeder?"

"I know not what reason you could have had," said Albert, addressing
the chancellor, with anger beaming in his eyes, "to have pushed the
case to such lengths, and advised the Duke to these harsh measures;
which, instead of healing past grievances, would only cause the