But the five familiars who held their clutch on him, and the other five who held the secretary, never for one instant relaxed their muscles, neither did they show by any movement or word that they were conscious that a word had been spoken. They were uncomfortable creatures.
At last, however, the Inquisitors themselves entered, one, a young man, black-avised and sturdy, and two elders whose peaked beards were grey and venerable. A monk in russet brown sneaked in at their heels.
The Inquisitors seated themselves at the bench before the table. The monk stood apart with hands folded over his crucifix and head bent. His lips mumbled as he repeated his office. The younger man took the centre of the bench, and commenced the Inquisition. He spent little time in beating about the bush. "It is reported to me," he said, "that you two are heretics."
"If the definition implies that we are earnest members of the Reformed Church," said Rupert with a courtly bow, "I accept it, Señor, both for myself and my companion."
"So," said the Inquisitor, "you choose to beard us to our faces? Father," he said to the monk, "offer them your holy symbol. Perhaps the devil speaks only with their voices, and with their lips and hearts they may give another answer."
The monk stepped up to the prisoners, holding his crucifix to be kissed, but each in turn shook a determined head. "Neither by word nor sign do I become apostate," said Rupert civilly, and the secretary with an effort made her voice firm and repeated his words.
The monk's eyes gleamed, and he stood back to his place. The dark Inquisitor frowned. "You must know where you are, and you must know well what will be the result of this obstinacy?"
"Yes," said the Prince calmly, "you will next prove that you are brutes and the sons of brutes by putting us to the torture. We shall accept what we cannot avoid, but we shall not turn our religion. I should think shame of myself, Señor, if I accepted a faith which was sullied by the adherence of bloody-minded men like yourself."
The dark Inquisitor flushed till his face was almost black. "You shall regret that," he snarled. "I will look on and give directions whilst every muscle of your body is made to quiver with agony."
"Señor," said the Prince with a bow, "you show that you have every talent developed to the full which could be of use to a coward and a butcher."