me careless, inattentive or drowsy. That such sin be not
committed, it is not sufficient that the prisoners acknowledge their
own blasphemies, they must likewise be compelled to name their
accomplices. And for that cause as God does not command this diligence
with one word alone, but insists upon it with three distinct words, and
says: _inquires, investigabis ac interrogabis diligenter_, it is
certain that the authorities who remained satisfied with the wicked
lies of the prisoners, would act with remissness." The Kurfuerst laid
down the documents.

"Horrible!" cried out Erastus.

"Calm yourself," said the Prince. "Torture would in this case only
render the matter worse. I shall not permit it."

"God reward you, gracious Prince, for making the council of evil doers
of no avail."

"Justice must be on both sides," said the Prince thoughtfully. "What I
am about to say to you now will perhaps not meet with so much approval
from you." Saying this he took up another bundle of papers, while his
brow became overcast. "The Church Council informs me that it has been
forced to issue the ban of excommunication over you, which as a
spiritual court it has the authority to do, through the power given by
Christ to his Church, without asking the consent of the Sovereign of
the land, nay more even against him in person."

"To his Church," cried Erastus. "Since when however do the few
counsellors mentioned by the Sovereign, constitute the Church."

"Let us drop that matter for the moment," replied the Kurfuerst. "For
the present let us inquire into the cause of this step. Here is the
deposition of Dr. Pigavetta, accusing you of being the especial head of
the Arian conspiracy."

"Pigavetta," ejaculated Erastus.

"Calm yourself; if I doubted you, you would not be sitting here but in
the great Tower. The facts adduced by the italian Doctor, do not amount
to much. That you went often to Ladenburg with Xylander and even drove
out with him, that Sylvanus also as he was being brought in here begged
you to warn Neuser, that you in every case have taken under your care
and protection the imprisoned blasphemers does not prove anything to
me. Here however is the sworn assertion that you have concealed
Neuser's papers and hidden them in your apartment, as they would never
be sought for in the Castle itself." The Kurfuerst stopped short.

"Will Your Gracious Highness order my apartment to be searched from
cellar to garret; if a line of Neus