“My dear Duke! I have indeed told you what I think.”
“Count, I conjure you, by every thing sacred, by the horrors of eternity!” here the Duke encircled him with his arms, “by Amelia’s spirit, tell we what do you think of that apparition?”
“I believe that apparition to have been effected by Hiermanfor’s supernatural power,” replied the Count after a short silence.
The Duke stepped a few paces back, and having viewed him some time with a stern look, said, “You are my prisoner, do you know that I can send you to the dungeon?”
“I am in your power.”
“Where you will not be entreated to speak the truth?”
“Even on the rack I shall not contradict what I have said.”
“Come,” said the Duke, after he had walked up and down the room in silent meditation; “Come, I will give you some time for consideration.”---So saying, he led the Count into another room where he locked him up.
“What shall I do with that fellow?” he said to me when he returned to us, “believe what he has said and set him at liberty; or mistrust and retain him?”
“Retain him,” my reply was: “if he sees that you are in earnest, he certainly will confess.”