him alive and without resistance. His bad conscience
besotted him, so he clapped spurs to his horse and rode off without
giving a reply.

This sudden flight was the signal for an uproar.

"A thief!" cried all; and off they flew after him. To the rider it was
a matter of life and death; he had already the start, his followers
panted breathlessly, and he seemed to be on the point of escape. But a
heavy hand pressed invisibly towards him, the watch of his destiny had
run down, the inexorable Nemesis detained her debtor. The street to
which he trusted had no outlet, and he was forced to turn back towards
his persecutors.

The noise of this event had in the meanwhile set the whole town in an
uproar; throng pressed on throng, all the streets were lined, and a
host of enemies were marching towards him. He showed a pistol, the mob
receded, and he would have made a way through the crowd by force. "A
shot from this," said he, "for the mad fool who detains me." A general
pause was dictated by fear, when at last, a bold journeyman blacksmith
darted on his arm from behind, caught the finger with which the insane
man was about to fire, and forced it out of joint. The pistol fell,
the disarmed man was pulled from his horse, and dragged to the office
in triumph.

"Who are you?" asked the judge in a somewhat brutal tone.

"A man who is resolved to answer no question until it is put more
courteously."

"Who are you?"[1]

"That which I represented myself to be. I have travelled all through
Germany, and never found impudence at home, anywhere but here."

"Your speedy flight renders you very suspicious. Why did you fly?"

"Because I was tired of being the laughing-stock of your rabble."

"You threatened to fire."

"My pistol was not loaded."

The weapon was examined, and, true enough, it contained no bullet.

"Why did you secretly carry arms?"

"Because I have with me articles of value, and because I have been
warned against a certain 'Host of the Sun,' who is said to be roving
about these parts."

"Your replies argue much for your audacity, but little for the goodness
of your cause. I will give you till to-morrow to discover the truth to
me."

"I shall abide by what I have already said."

"Let him be conducted to the tower."

"To the tower? I hope, Herr Superior, that there is still justice in
this country. I shall require satisfaction."

"I will give it you as soon as you are acquitted."

The next m