its you or him from whom you received the
writing. It was an error, surely, but not a crime, and will only become
a crime in case you obstinately hold back some of the truth. Believe me,
I shall take care that no harm befall you; but in that case it is
necessary you should answer our questions openly."

These words of assurance began to move me from my purpose. They were
said so sweetly, I began to believe in them.

But the director suddenly interrupted:--

"On the contrary! I am forced to contradict the honored professor, and
to deny what he has brought forward for the defence of these criminal
young men. Grievous and of great moment is the offence they have
committed, and the chief causers thereof shall be punished with the
utmost rigor of the law."

These words were uttered in a voice of anger and of implacable severity;
but all at once it dawned upon me, that this severe man was he who
wished to save us, while that assuring, tender paterfamilias was just
the one who desired to ruin us.

Mr. Schmuck continued to twirl his thumbs.

The director then turned again to me.

"Why will you not name the man who entrusted you with that matter for
copying?"

I gave the only answer possible. "When I copied these writings I could
not know I was engaged on forbidden work. Now it has been told me that
it was a grievous offence, though I cannot tell why. Still I must
believe it. I have no intention of naming the man who entrusted that
work to me, because the punishment of me who did not know its object,
will be far lighter than that of him, who knew."

"But only think, my dear child, what a risk you take upon your own
shoulders," said Mr. Schmuck in gracious tones; "think, by your obduracy
you make yourself the guilty accomplice in a crime, of which you were
before innocent."

"Sir," I answered, turning towards him: "did you not teach me the heroic
story of Mucius Scaevola? did you not yourself teach me to recite
'Romanus sum civis?'

"Do with me what you please: I shall not prove a traitor: if the Romans
had courage, so have I to say 'longus post me ordo idem petentium
decus.'"

"Get you hence," brawled the director; and the pedellus led me away.

Two hours afterwards they told me I might go home; I was saved. Just
that implacable director had proved himself the best in his efforts to
rescue us. One or two "primani," who had amused the tribunal with some
very broad lies, were condemned to a few days' lock-up. That