er's be found, let my head be laid
between my feet," said Erastus coldly.

"For your sake I am sorry, but not to draw down on myself the reproach
of partiality, I could not spare you this." The Prince summoned a page
by knocking on the table, and ordered the Amtmann Hartmann Hartmanni to
be admitted. The Amtmann appeared at the door holding a bundle of
papers under his arm. From his remarks it could be gathered that he had
already fulfilled his commission whilst Erastus was being retained in
audience. The astonished physician fixed his eyes on the Prince. This
proceeding during his absence was new to him. It showed him, how low he
had already fallen.

"You have completed the search of the papers belonging to my
Counsellor?" asked the Kurfuerst.

"No great search was necessary," replied Herr Hartmann. "Neuser's
papers laid on the top."

"How!" called out the Kurfuerst and Erastus at the same time. The
Magistrate handed some papers over to the Prince.

"The plague take it!" called out Frederic the Pious, looking at Erastus
with flaming eyes.

Erastus pressed forwards and turned the papers over with trembling
hands. "A letter of Neuser's to Blandrata, a document from Beckhess the
Transylvanian ambassador, letters of the Superintendent David in
Klausenburg, letters of Vehe, Suter, and Sylvanus ..." Angrily he threw
the bundle down on the table. "I do not know anything about these
letters. A rascally trick to destroy me! Where did you find these
papers, Amtmann?"

"In your desk."

The Kurfuerst looked stedfastly at Erastus, as if he wished to read to
the bottom of his soul. "Remember, most Gracious Lord," said the
physician, "that for months a scaffolding has stood before my windows,
and that anyone who wishes can enter my apartment."

The prince appeared for a while to struggle within himself, and then
asked. "Did you discover anything else?"

The Magistrate smiled mockingly, and handed a note over to Erastus. "Is
that your hand-writing. Counsellor?"

Erastus cast a glance at the writing. "Yes, it is."

"This letter lay also among Neuser's papers, most Gracious Lord," said
the Amtmann. "Hear what the Counsellor writes to this conspirator.
'Dear Herr Adam! I have received your letter and quite agree with you.
Matters are going on well, to-morrow you will receive the required
pass, and then follow my directions exactly in all things, greet the
Inspector. Your friend!' Does Your Highness now believe that a
con