To fight evil with evil only increases its power.
But a large heart can pardon such a deed or purpose. Let us hope
meanwhile that our king possesses one. The Chancellor is getting
better. Here, just look--sign the paper." He pulled out a folded
sheet, then an inkpot and a pen. Konrad bent over the table and
groaned while signing his name.

"Ah," he said, "if only I could be free again! I should never think of
such things again. The world could go on as it pleased. I should do
my work, and not trouble about anything else. Only," and he said it
softly, uncertainly, "only I shall not forget God again."

"There is naturally only a moderate chance," said the judge. "In some
cases, where it is concerned with the whole----"

"It is very uncertain, then?" asked Konrad. "But, my God! how is it to
be borne? If this time is lengthened, how is it to be borne? This
terrible suspense!"

"It can be a time of hope," said the judge.

"But how long will it last?" asked Konrad.

The judge shrugged his shoulders. "It may last three weeks, but it
might last double that time."

Konrad asked confidingly: "Do you think, sir, that a man can hold
out?--with the terror of death lasting for weeks?"

"Haven't you just a little confidence?" asked the judge. "Haven't we
all to endure uncertainty?--the judge as well as the condemned man?"

"But what am I to do?" demanded Konrad. "How am I to employ myself all
the dreadful time? It's being buried alive."

"Unhappily it's not in my power to give you a better room, though you
haven't the worst cell in the building. But perhaps you have some
other desire that can be granted. Speak out frankly, Ferleitner," said
the judge.

Therewith he folded the paper, and put the writing materials into his
coat pocket. Konrad followed his proceedings with his eyes. He could
not comprehend how this dread personage came to speak to him in so
kindly a fashion. "As to the room," he said, "it's all I need--when
you've nothing to do, and are not likely to have anything to do, what
can a man want? If a man isn't free, nothing else matters. But one
thing--I have one request, sir."

"Then speak it," said the judge, and holding Konrad's hand firmly in
his, broke out with: "Don't you see, it's cruel to think, to believe,
that we must be the personal enemies of all whom we're obliged to
condemn. You think the proceedings in court were so callous, you've no
idea how we actually feel about the