The Landgrave smiled contemptuously. "But, again I ask you, sir, will you on any terms grant immunity to these young men?"
"You sue as vainly for others as you would do for yourself."
"Then all grace is hopeless?" The Landgrave vouchsafed no answer, but made signals to Von Aremberg.
"Gentlemen, cavaliers, citizens of Klosterheim, you that are not involved in the Landgrave's suspicions," said The Masque, appealingly, "will you not join me in the intercession I offer for these young friends, who are else to perish unjudged, by blank edict of martial law?"
The citizens of Klosterheim interceded with ineffectual supplication. "Gentlemen, you waste your breath; they die without reprieve," replied the Landgrave.
"Will your highness spare none?"
"Not one," he exclaimed, angrily,—"not the youngest amongst them."
"Nor grant a day's respite to him who may appear, on examination, the least criminal of the whole?"
"A day's respite? No, nor half an hour's. Headsman, be ready. Soldiers, lay the heads of the prisoners ready for the axe."
"Detested prince, now look to your own!"