sanctity with less discrimination.' You may also shut your eyes
to certain advances made to you by the beauteous woman, for as the
General of our Society says: 'An experienced proselyter may overlook
much which he need not understand.' _Prudens tempore illo tacebit._
Moreover if you do not wish for the post, I know a dozen of the
affiliated who would only be too happy."

"I will accept any position," replied the young man quickly, "which
will free me from the obligation of wearing the robes of a heretic
priest, and of submitting to their laws. My own convictions are no
longer a secret to any here. Help me therefore out of this ambiguous
situation and I will render myself as useful as possible."

"Wait a moment," rejoined Pigavetta. "In the Rector's reports is not
your wondrous skill in imitating handwriting mentioned?"

"I know not," hesitatingly answered the young man, "why the Rector had
the whim to teach an art to the best draughtsmen of the class, which
according to the code of the laws of the Emperor Charles is punished
with the loss of the right hand. I will not practice it."

"You will obey the commands of your superiors." The young man sighed.
"I will give you nothing to do which could make you or me responsible
before God or to man. Shall our messengers be prevented from entering
the territory of the heretics, because the authorities will grant them
no safe-conduct, and is it a sin to render the presumptuous request of
these tyrants of no avail through your innocent art, when the eternal
salvation of millions is in question? Are not your bands as a clergyman
of the reformed church, and your now hidden tonsure, forgeries? What
mean these caprices?"

"I do not refuse to write a pass," answered the Priest in a smothered
tone.

"Let us see what you can do," said Pigavetta, handing a sheet of paper
and a pen to the young man. Then carelessly sorting a bundle of
papers he took out a legal document. "Can you imitate this official
hand-writing?"

The Priest looked carefully at the strokes. Then said: "What shall I
write?"

"Well, as an attempt, anything you like, for instance: '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.'"

The young Priest wrote, the Physician looking over his shoulder.
"_Optime_, _optime_!" he then cried.