"Of spreading the plague," answered Herr Hartmann Hartmanni with due solemnity.

"And you, the Prince's Magistrate believe, that an old woman can have caused all the misery which the united officials of the Palatinate could not prevent? In that case, sir, do not lay your hand on her, lest she injure you through incantations."

"You admit then, that she is here?" asked the Magistrate.

The Baptist made a sign behind his back, and his red-headed boy disappeared through a door leading from within. Instead of answering the question, he then said,

"It is curious, for weeks we have been waiting for the officials to aid in stemming the pestilence. My provisions are devoured, my faithful Martha is worn to a shadow through running, watching and attending others, government however let us rot and perish. But now, now that the plague is almost gone, riders and carts come to take off an old woman who is accused of being the cause of all the trouble." Herr Hartmann Hartmanni was rather taken aback at this unexpected onslaught, but a tremendous noise at the back of the house prevented him from making any answer. A horrible crowing, squeaking, and grunting was heard to proceed from a distant hay-rick. The horse of the sergeant leapt wildly neighing with emptied saddle over the garden hedge, whilst its gigantic master lay miserably grovelling in the dust. The other police officer cursed and swore, whilst endeavoring to hold on to the bridle of the dismounted magistrate's shying steed without letting his own bolt. Paul sprang forwards to discover the cause of the confusion. An old woman ran in his way thinking to reach the mountains un.o.bserved. He laid tight hold of her and immediately the sergeant who had been thrown off picked himself up and seized the old woman by the arm. "Devils' witch,"

he said, "we will serve thee out for this." At the same moment loud spanks and mournful wails were heard from behind the house. "He who does not hear, must feel, foolish boy," roared the angry voice of the Miller. "How often have I told you not to play the devil. Now thou alone hast made the matter look bad." The two groups met together at the door, the angry Miller holding his howling son by the ear, the Parson and the sergeant hauling along the old woman, who let her feet drag over the ground, uttering the most b.e.s.t.i.a.l cries. "Did I not sell you the snakes," she said every now and then to the Parson, "let me go.

You also use snakes for your enchantments." At this disgusting sight the Miller let his boy loose. "Shame on you," he cried, "to thus ill-use an old woman, you especially, a Priest!"

"Witch and heretic house together, that has ever been an old custom,"

replied the Magister angrily, whilst the sergeant and his officer bound the old woman and then threw her on the ground.

"You have given shelter to the witch," now said the Magistrate, "we heard in your yard with our own ears the neighing of the devilish host, who with horns, tails, and claws galloped close past the sergeant as he lay on the ground...."

"Dost thou see, George, what thou hast brought about," interposed the Miller, seizing his boy once more by the arm and shaking him. "He it was who imitated the h.e.l.lish voices, to laugh over your fright, other devils are not to be found in my house. You will make yourselves ridiculous, if it is known, that you let yourselves be taken in by a child."

Solemnly Herr Hartmann Hartmanni turned round to the red-headed George, who stood sheepishly near the fence not understanding the extent of the danger to his person. "Good, then he goes also with us to Heidelberg, and if he be not found guilty of more devilish arts, he will nevertheless get his _quantum satis_ of birching for ridiculing the district magistrate."

"You will certainly never lock up a mere child in the witch's tower for a boyish trick for which he has been already punished?" said the Miller. "What will become of a child in this terrible prison, he will be frightened to death."

"You will keep him company," now broke in the Magister, "Herr Hermanni, I accuse this Baptist and heretic of intriguing for his sect contrary to the prince's mandates. He has lately availed himself of the terror caused by the plague, and also re-baptised certain families living in Schonau. Besides this you are witness, that he is in communication with the witch who is to be found on all cross-roads."

The Miller drew himself to his full height. "And thou priest of Baal, darest thou speak of cross-roads. Who is it makes appointments with innocent girls after sun-down on the cross-roads, yes, and the worst in repute of the whole district, where evil spirits, or rather evil pa.s.sions abound." And once more the Miller pushed his boy to the front and called out: "Look on that boy, he it is to whom thou didst entrust thy filthy message." Pale as death Paul made a step backwards. Had when in decent company the whole of his clothes suddenly fallen off his body, he would have scarcely felt such a shock, as he did at his moral nakedness being thus exposed. A painful silence now reigned, all the more annihilating for the young Priest, as the audience had lately been increased, attracted by the noise the Heidelberg physicians together with the laborers and numerous peasant women had hastened up. All watched Paul's lips intently, to hear how he would answer such a serious charge. But he remained silent. It seemed to him as if he had become transparent, and every one pried into his filthy secrets with mocking eyes.

Then the witch on the ground squeaked out. "He it was who enticed Herr Erastus' fair haired daughter of a dark night to the Holtermann."

"What sayest thou of my daughter?" cried out Erastus, approaching the old woman in a rage.

"Well, the Counsellor must best know where it was that his daughter broke her little foot. The Parson wanted to play at marriage with her on the cross-road, where the Evil One meets his mistress every night.

But others came before the gentleman, and the bride sprang into the Heidenloch, and that was too humid a bride-chamber for Sir Parson."

"You keep silent, old Dragon," whispered the old Miller, giving her a kick with his foot, but the bound witch only called out her wondrous tale doubly loud to the people around. Erastus' features became distorted, he laughed through very excitement. He resembled at that moment in his maddening sorrow the Devil himself, as his enemies averred; his hair bristled up, his face became black, whilst the white of his eye gleamed horribly from out of his darkened countenance. The cowardly Magistrate drew back. Among what sort of people had he fallen!

He had long known Erastus to be a heretic; but now his daughter was a witch; he himself perhaps a sorcerer; did not the terrible man look exactly like one at that moment. And the foreign Parson moreover, whom Herr Hartmanni had never trusted, and who, as he the Magistrate of the district had just been informed, also bought witches' wares, held converse with the Evil one on the cross-road, and brought young maidens to his nightly revels. Not to mention the Baptist, his devilish boy, and the bound witch herself, who fixed him with an evil glare. Everyone who stood there must be clapped into the witches' tower on the Zwinger, but to do this he must have a warrant from the Kurfurst. He must also return with at least half a company of crossbow-men to this valley and root out all heresy and witchcraft. Without saying a word he mounted his horse and rode out of shot of his dreadful neighbors. Then he called out: "The examination can take place in Heidelberg, my business here is at an end. Sergeant, you deliver the witch and incendiary into the tower." He then set spurs to his horse, ordered the other officers in the village to follow him and trotted away as quick as he possibly could down the valley, still in mortal terror of being pursued by this conventicle of witches and heretics. The sergeant and the officer placed the fettered witch between their horses and thus brought her to the village, when being bound together with the peasant to a cart they made their way to the Tower. The Miller had in the meanwhile taken his boy by the arm; they went into the house to the old Martha. Erastus remained behind; he went up close to the young Priest, who stood silently leaning against a pear tree. "Magister Laurenzano," said the wretched father in a husky voice, "is there any truth in the statement made by the witch?" The young Priest remained silent. He looked down as if overwhelmed. "Did you entice Lydia by night to the Holtermann?" now shrieked the Physician in wild despair. The Priest bowed his head. The tall physician fell prostrate on the ground. His companions sprang forwards and carried him to one of the carts, whilst the Priest with his face buried in his hands hastened away.

All was once more still in front of the Miller's house. The frightened fowls ran hither and thither in the down-trodden gra.s.s. The mill-wheels clappered their monotonous old song, and gaily gleamed the rivulet in the bright midday sun, while many colored b.u.t.terflies and dark dragonflies hovered around it. The pa.s.sionate sobbing of women arose from the interior of the mill. After a while, Father Werner and his son appeared at the edge of the wood, both bearing knapsacks on their backs. The Miller knew, what to expect at the return of the Magistrate and made his way to the nearest frontier. Red-headed George on the other hand seemed not to consider the matter in so serious a light; he followed after his enraged progenitor quite calmly. "Father do not hurry so," he said panting, "the Heidelberg police are always late."

CHAPTER VI.

Whilst the cart was rolling slowly along the Neckar valley, Erastus gradually regained his composure. His daughter's image in all its purity and goodness appeared before his eyes. This harmless child might have been led astray, but had never been depraved. The humiliated father called to mind every conversation which she had had in his presence with the Priest, and felt fully convinced that morally his child was pure and unspotted, whatever might have been the cause of the extraordinary nightly adventure. He begged his companions to drive quicker, as he longed to interrogate Lydia face to face. The cart rolled rapidly through the streets of the town, though it trailed up the steep Schlossberg much too slowly for the impatient Erastus. But on the carter wishing to drive over the draw-bridge he found the entry blocked up. A vehicle guarded by four riders had just driven into the court-yard. Near a police-officer of the Palatinate sat with fettered hands the former Parson, Adam Neuser. Wearied and dejected he gazed straight before him. His hair had become grayer, his complexion more sun-burnt. Otherwise the flight with its many privations appeared to have agreed with him better than the boozing life at the Hirsch. He had wandered much about the world, but had been unable to make without recommendations, without testimonials, without a name, any position for himself. Fortune and his star had abandoned him. Thus utterly discouraged, degraded as to body and soul, with torn clothing, and but a few pence in his pockets, he found himself in a tavern near the Danube where he had put up for the night, next to the children's room.

Whilst the heat from the hot kitchen warmed delightfully his stiffened limbs, and he listened to the childish prattle of the children, a longing to see his own family once more overpowered him. It seemed to him as if his wife brought to him their youngest child, which wrapped in a woollen cloth felt as warm as the chimney against which he leant, and the little one placed his cheek against his father's and nibbled at it, as if to try, whether he tasted as good as did its mother. And next he saw his second little daughter stumbling about before him, and who only now beginning to talk called all four-footed animals from the horse downwards "wau" and all winged creatures from the fly upwards "bibi" and mankind "man". And his little Jack showed him his slate with the exercises which he had written, and the b.u.t.terflies which he had caught in the garden. A heavy sadness came over the stout Parson, and he shut his eyes, as do the chickens, by raising the lower eyelid upwards, whilst the upper remained stationary, as was his wont, whenever he felt gently moved, and he fell asleep. In his dreams he fancied himself once more in his comfortable chair near the round table at the Hirsch in Heidelberg, and Chancellor Probus congratulated him in a friendly manner on his return. "All is forgiven and forgotten. As a matter of course," he distinctly heard the Chairman of their meeting say in his deep tones. At these words of the honored gentleman so intense was the joy that came over Parson Neuser that he awoke, and called out as did Doctor Luther at Koburg: "Home, home, home!" He trusted certainly that his wife had burnt the dangerous papers in good time. He did not think of the mad address which he had written in a moment of drunken intoxication to Sultan Selim II., and with his usual buoyancy he imagined, that if the worst came to the worst he would get off with a mild punishment. He surrendered himself up to the magistrate at Amberg, who immediately sent him on to Heidelberg, where the trial of his companions was still taking place. Erastus was glad, that Neuser did not notice him. He did not feel inclined to greet this foolish man who had drawn this calamity on himself and his family. But the gate still remained closed and Erastus fretted with impatience at the enforced delay. Finally the trotting of horses and the rattling of a cart was heard within. Another cart guarded by armed men escorting a prisoner appeared. This time however it was Sylva.n.u.s who sat near the officer. The once so stately man looked pale and haggard, his eyes were sunken and an expression of resigned despondency lay on his wan face.

At his feet sat his nine-year old son, who was allowed by order of the kind-hearted Kurfurst to accompany him to his prison, although the clergymen of the court had violently opposed this soul-destroying indulgence on the part of the Kurfurst. The prisoner was being taken to Mannheim, so as to prevent any communication between himself and Neuser. On seeing Erastus, Sylva.n.u.s stretched out his hands towards him as if imploring for aid. The physician also raised his hand, but let it drop wearily down, as if to express how powerless he himself was. He was thinking of some kindly expression when the driver whipped up the horses and they rolled under the dark gate-way. Immediately on reaching his apartment Erastus inquired for Lydia. She had gone to pay a visit to Frau Belier, as she had only expected her father at a late hour, still she might be back at any moment. Erastus' eye now caught sight of a large envelope among his papers, bearing the seal of the Church Council, but addressed to him in his mere capacity of Doctor of Medicine. Surprised he broke it open, expecting some fresh misfortune.

The youthful President Zuleger informed him in brief terms that the Church Council had found it advisable to issue their ban of excommunication over him. His conscience would sufficiently explain to him the causes of this step. "No Pope who at any time sent forth the _fulmen_ of excommunication ever did it with more comfort to himself,"

hissed Erastus. Till he could again be admitted to partic.i.p.ate in the Communion of the Lord's Supper, it added, he was forbidden to attend the meetings of the Church Council. Trembling with rage and emotion he held in his lame hand the doc.u.ment, whilst he seized his hat with the other, saying to the terrified maid-servant: "I must go immediately to the Prince." The anxious old woman wanted to induce him to take some refreshment, but he hurried out, merely leaving word that Lydia should wait for him at home, as he had something important to tell her.

The Kurfurst was sitting in his private room in the new court, which we have already described, as Erastus requested the page to beg an audience in his name. Utterly worn out by his exertions the wearied man heard the Prince within talking loudly and earnestly. After a time the Magistrate, Hartmann Hartmanni appeared at the door and pa.s.sed him by without notice. Now at length was Erastus allowed to enter.

"I was about to send for you this afternoon," said the stout Prince good-naturedly, "as it is not my habit to condemn any one unheard. Sit down. What we have to talk about, will not be decided within the hour."

The wearied physician gloomily took his seat on the chair pointed out to him. "The report of the spiritual members of the Church Council on the arian clergymen has been sent in," began the Kurfurst. "Before discussing your matter. I should like to hear what you think about it?"

"The theological gentlemen have not deemed it necessary to send me a copy," said Erastus coldly.

"Did you not attend the preliminary meetings as to the result of the inquiry?"

"What advantage would it have been to me?" replied Erastus bitterly.

"In Your Gracious Highness' Church Council there are three kinds of Counsellors. The Jurists read the doc.u.ments and report their contents.

The learned Doctors do not read yet nevertheless report on them, the Theologians read them and report totally differently to what is written in them. When I saw that I remained away."

"Your old song," growled the Kurfurst fretfully. "But now I must read you a report instead of your doing so to me. First of all then," he said turning over the leaves of the report above mentioned, "these gentlemen enjoin on me, that whosoever acquits those blasphemers, is as much an abomination in the sight of G.o.d, as the blasphemers themselves." Erastus shrugged his shoulders contemptuously. "The first part refers to the blasphemies, invectives, and repudiation of the Christian dogmas by these clergymen, as well as their endeavours to unite themselves with the Turks. All the points in Sylva.n.u.s' libel are clearly marked out, and it is thus evident, that the Inspector intended to taint the world with his blasphemies. Do you differ from this opinion?"

"No," answered Erastus, "Sylva.n.u.s' letter deserves punishment. But I cannot possibly look upon Neuser's ridiculous composition as a serious production, more especially as it is endorsed: _potest omitti_. I believe that the foolish man wrote it in a drunken mood, and though he read it again when more sober, he was too lazy to burn the doc.u.ment and wrote instead: 'need not be forwarded.' Sylva.n.u.s has been however severely punished by his long imprisonment and regrets his aberration sincerely. Most certainly those two cannot go unpunished, but the only question is what punishment those gentlemen consider fitting?"

"That is just the point," said the Kurfurst sorrowfully. "These theologians continually refer to the divine law as it is written in the Books of Moses. There it is commanded, to stone such blasphemers, to pierce them with the sword, to burn them. The words of the Vth Book of Moses Chapter 13 are clear. 'If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom or thy friend which is as thine own soul entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other G.o.ds, neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him: But thou shalt surely kill him, thine hand shall be the first upon him to put him to death and afterwards the hand of all the people, and thou shalt stone him with stones that he die because he hath sought to thrust thee away from the Lord thy G.o.d.'" The Kurfurst put down the report and looked earnestly at Erastus.

"Do those gentlemen really wish to introduce stoning into the Palatinate?" asked Erastus mockingly.

"No," answered the Kurfurst. "Further on it is stated, 'It is certain that as to this _qualitas, circ.u.mstantia_, or fact, namely as regards stoning, the christian authorities are not bound thereto, but that they may make use of the sword, or hanging or some other means of destroying life. If however the sin is not visited upon the head of him who has sinned, G.o.d will pour out his wrath upon the entire people, who have not rooted out the transgressor. But to increase and call forth G.o.d's wrath which has already been kindled as shown by the plague, would be the most horrible cruelty towards the entire christian community.'"

"To calmly sit in the lofty rooms of the chancellory, and to offer up an atoning sacrifice to the angel of the plague on the green-cloth of the table, is much easier," said Erastus bitterly, "than to oppose him on the sick-bed and to fumigate his haunts. I think however that Your Highness can be at rest. Our G.o.d is not so revengeful as are those pious learned men of G.o.d."

"True, true," sighed the Kurfurst, "but these gentlemen point out that further on G.o.d has commanded in Moses V. Chapter 13 thus that the inhabitants of a city fallen from G.o.d shall be smitten with the sword even to the small children, and those that prophesy falsely shall be rooted out whether they turn from their ways or not."

"Fine, fine," said Erastus angrily. "Then indeed was Pius IV. right when he slew four thousand Waldensees in Calabria and destroyed their villages, trees and vineyards. The Duke of Guise was justified at Va.s.sy in shooting women and children. The Jesuit Possevin was right when he led two thousand arquebusiers against the Protestants in Piedmont.

Verily it is so written! Fie, upon the fools!"

"Truly," continued the Kurfurst. "What difference would there be between me and those b.l.o.o.d.y men at Paris and Madrid, if I were to follow out such advice? They write to me, that they themselves would be responsible for the wrath of G.o.d, which has already been kindled, if they prolonged the finite life of the blasphemers, and suffered the Honor of G.o.d which has been trodden under foot by so many varied d.a.m.nable blasphemies, to remain thus trampled upon through a G.o.dless leniency. It is all very well for them to talk. They do not know what it means to dip a pen and wipe out a human life by one's own signature."

"Your Gracious Highness' christian conscience is more satisfying to me than the wisdom of the Church Council and all the Faculties. I pray G.o.d may keep both your conscience and heart strong in this matter. But what has Your Gracious Highness decided upon?"

"The matter is not yet ripe for sentence," said the Prince. "I will ask my brother in Dresden to look over the report of the trial, as well as the theologians at Zurich, that thereby Judges may look into the case, who cannot be suspected of personal enmity against the accused. We disciples of Calvin dare not in matters of general belief be more sanguinary, or appear more lax than those of Luther or Zwingli."

Erastus bowed his head a.s.sentingly.

"The Theologians also demand that a codicil be added to the inquiry,"

continued the Kurfurst with a troubled look.

"Sylva.n.u.s in his letters to the Transylvanians mentions several as holding the same views as himself who would be willing to migrate thither, Neuser does the same in his letter to the Sultan. Being asked during the trial, who these accomplices might be, Sylva.n.u.s named Neuser, Neuser, Sylva.n.u.s. In the same way Vehe mentioned Suter, and Suter Vehe. The Church Council thinks therefore that these matters call for a strict inquiry, or searching inquisition."

"That means," cried Erastus excitedly, "that the prisoners must be racked till they name as accomplices any one who may be opposed to Olevia.n.u.s. Quotes this ruffianly fox any scriptural authority for such a proceeding?"

"Certainly," said the Kurfurst taking up the report once more. "The Lord says Moses V, 13. 14.: _Tunc inquires, investigabis ac interrogabis diligenter._ That is 'thou shalt inquire, interrogate and investigate diligently.' The Lord commands such a diligent and accurate investigation, in order that the authorities may not overlook such evils, or become 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 G.o.d 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 Kurfurst laid down the doc.u.ments.

"Horrible!" cried out Erastus.