"You are right," replied Barbarossa; "Louis will never be able to get rid of the English, if he undertakes to protect Alexander; and, on the other hand, the Englishman will lose every foot of soil which he now holds in France, should he presume to oppose the organization of the Imperial Church."
At this juncture, the Chancellor Palatine Ulrich, upon a sign from the Emperor, left the room.
"We have yet an act of justice to perform," said he, "at which we request your presence. A complaint has been made to us of a gross abuse of authority. Those whom we honor with our confidence should be careful not to be guilty of acts which will disgrace it. Therefore, without regard to rank or position, we are determined that vigorous and stern justice shall be meted out to all."
Whilst Barbarossa was speaking, Rechberg entered the room on one side, while on the other appeared Herman, the prefect of Staufenberg. He was followed by Hesso the chief of police, a sufficient evidence that he was the accused party. He approached the throne boldly and with head erect, and threw himself upon his knees, where he remained in the posture of a suppliant.
"Stand up!" said the Emperor, "and let the chancellor do his duty!"
Ulrich advanced between Herman and the Barons; his stern and flushed face showing that he was about to exercise one of the most important functions of his office.
"In the name of the Holy and Undivided Trinity!" he cried, in a loud voice.
At these words the Emperor and his nobles rose from their seats and bowed profoundly.
"The noble Count Erwin of Rechberg, here present, accuses the knight Herman, prefect and Imperial Castellan of Staufenberg, of having exacted illegal tolls, and of having in this abused the name of the Emperor, to the intent of prejudicing him in the esteem of the public."
"What answer have you to make?" demanded Barbarossa.