ovedo lodged a formal indictment
against us, and I was put into irons.

To rebut the evidence of one single, tainted witness I produced six
witnesses of high repute, including the Secretary of the Council of
Aragon. They testified for me that I was at Alcala at the time of
Escovedo's death, that I had always been Escovedo's friend, that I was
a good Christian incapable of such a deed, and that Enriquez as an evil
man whose word was worthless, a false witness inspired by vengeance.

Thus, in spite of the ill-will of my judges and the hatred of my
enemies, it was impossible legally to condemn me upon the evidence.
There were documents enough in existence to have proved my part in the
affair; but not one of them dared the King produce, since they would
also show me to have been no more than his instrument. And so, desiring
my death as it was now clear he did, he must sit impotently brooding
there with what patience he could command, like a gigantic, evil spider
into whose web I obstinately refused to fling myself.

My hopes began to revive. When at last the court announced that it
postponed judgment whilst fresh evidence was sought, there was an outcry
of indignation on all sides. This was a tyrannical abuse of power,
men said; and I joined my voice to theirs to demand that judgment
be pronounced and my liberty restored to me, pointing out that I
had already languished years in captivity without any charge against
me--beyond that of corruption, which had been purged by now--having been
established.

Then at last the King stirred in his diabolical underground manner. He
sent his confessor to me in prison. The friar was mild and benign.

"My poor friend," he said, "why do you allow yourself to suffer in this
fashion, when a word from you can set a term to it? Confess the deed
without fear, since at the same time you can advance a peremptory reason
of State to justify it."

It was too obvious a trap. Did I make confession, indeed, upon such
grounds, they would demand of me proof of what I asserted; and meanwhile
the documents to prove it had been extorted from me and had passed into
the King's possession. In the result I should be ruined completely as
one who, to the crime of murder, added a wicked, insidious falsehood
touching the honour of his King.

But I said naught of this. I met guile with guile. "Alas! I have been
tempted," I answered him. "But I thank Heaven I have known even in my
extremity how to resist the