OLAVUS. Confidences given me under the seal of confession, so that I had no right to betray them.
ISRAEL. [Gazing curiously at OLAVUS] Hm-hm! [Pause] A mysterious story it was, nevertheless.
OLAVUS. No, I don't think so. Gorius Holst and Hans Bökman were found guilty. And it was so little of a secret, that the people of Hamburg heard of the King's murder as an accomplished fact long before the plot was exposed at Stockholm.
ISRAEL. That is just what I call mysterious, especially as we knew nothing about it at Luebeck.
OLAVUS. Yes, I call that mysterious, too, because the road to Hamburg goes through Luebeck as a rule. [ISRAEL makes no reply] And it was rumoured at the time, that Marcus Meyer and Juerghen Wollenweber were no strangers to the plot.
ISRAEL. I have never heard of it, and I don't believe it. [Pause; then, pointing to the blood-stained coats] Must those things stay here?
OLAVUS. Yes, for the present.
ISRAEL. It seems to me that these royal visits are rather sanguinary affairs.
OLAVUS. I don't allow myself to pass judgment on the actions of my King, partly because I am not capable of doing so, and partly because I know there is a judge above too, who guides his destiny.
ISRAEL. That is beautifully said and thought. Have you always been equally wise?