ke mine. But--they must do it
unexpectedly, suddenly. Just as I meant to do to him. Otherwise it
won't be fair. Tell me, holy Father, is it cowardly to be so
terrified? I am so terrified--of what is before me. There's nothing
about this terror of death in the Scriptures. Those who settled my
fate to-day looked like men. Then they ought to know that they are
executing me a thousand times, not once. Why do I still live, I who
was slain three hours ago! Quick! From behind! If only they were so
merciful! One of them said to-day it was my duty to die. My God! I
think I have the right to die, and they're the criminals! They haven't
secured me my rights at once! It would have been over by now. O God,
my God, if only it were over!"

So he raged on, wringing his hands, groaning under the torture.
Suddenly his face became deathly white and his features stiffened as if
his heart had ceased beating.

"Poor fellow," said the priest, putting his arm round his neck and
drawing his head down on his breast. "You mustn't talk like that.
Think, if we've been sinners all our lives, oughtn't we to spend a few
days in repenting? Tell me, brother, don't you desire the consolations
of religion?"

"Indeed I do," stammered the poor sinner. "And so I asked----"

"You see, I am ready."

"And I also want the Gospels, if I may be allowed the book."

The monk looked at him, then demanded quietly:

"You want the New Testament?"

"I should like to read in it. My mother had one and used to read it
aloud and explain it. It would give me a home-like feeling if I could
read in it now."

The Father replied: "I'll tell you something, my dear friend. The
Gospel is a very good book, not in vain is it called the glad tidings."

"My God! yes; what do I need more sorely now than glad tidings?" agreed
Konrad.

"Of course. But the book's not an easy one. Out of ten readers
there's hardly one who understands it. And even he doesn't really
understand it. It's too profound, I might say, too divine a book; as
they say, seven times sealed. Therefore it must be explained by
experts. I will willingly go through certain parts of it with you
occasionally, but I shall give you something else for your edification,
from which you will derive comfort and peace."

Konrad covered his face with his hands, and said, almost inaudibly:
"The Gospel is what I should have liked best."

And then the monk said gravely: "My friend, you are the