KING. If it is for my benefit, I can guess the nature of it. Well, spit it out now!

MOTHER-IN-LAW. This man Herman Israel, whom you regard as a friend, is speaking ill of you on your back.

KING. When I do what's ill, he has the right to speak ill of me—has he not?

MOTHER-IN-LAW. [Going out in a huff] Oh, it's impossible to reason with you!

KING. Have you really discovered that at last?—At last! [He goes to the door at the right] Let Master Olavus Petri come in.

MASTER OLAVUS enters.

KING. Good day, Olof. I have read your report on the conditions at Copperberg, and I am pleased with you.—Have Anders Persson and Mons Nilsson been arrested?

OLAVUS. They have been locked up since last night.

KING. [Goes to the door at the right] Order Anders Persson and Mons Nilsson to be brought up here at once. [To OLAVUS] Have you any proof that the prisoners have been plotting with John Andersson?

OLAVUS. Proof and witnesses.