In the case of a heretic against whom the witnesses have not supplied matter for complete conviction, let him be brought before the inquisitor and let the inquisitor question him at random. When the accused shall have denied something (quando negat hoc vel illud) that has been put to him, let the inquisitor take up the minutes of the preceding examinations, turn the leaves and say:
“It is clear that you conceal the truth; cease to employ dissimulation.”
Thus the accused may suppose that he is convicted, and that the minutes supply proof against him.
Or let the inquisitor hold a document in his hand, and when the accused denies, let him feign astonishment and exclaim:
“How can you deny such a thing? Is it not clear to me?” He will then peruse his document anew, making changes, and then reading once more, let him say, “I was right! Speak, then, since you perceive that I know.”
The inquisitor must be careful not to enter into any details that might betray his ignorance to the accused. Let him keep to generalities.
If the accused persists in his denial, the inquisitor may tell him that he is about to set out upon a journey and that he doesn’t know when he will be returning. Thus:
“Look now, I pity you, and I wanted you to tell me the truth, for I am anxious to expedite the affair and yourself. But since you are obstinate in refusing to confess, I must leave you in prison and in irons until I return; and I am sorry, because I do not know when I shall return.”
Photo by Donald Macbeth.