But the depositions of witnesses were almost useless. The most striking evidence of his crime was the chisel lying there, still covered with the victim's blood. And when the president, after declaring to Master Sebald the crime of which he stood accused, asked, pointing to the blood-stained weapon, "Dost thou recognize thy chisel?" the old sculptor replied:
"Yes: it is mine."
"And thou seest that with it was the life of the Baron of Arneck taken. Canst thou say by whose hand he came to his death?"
"Yes—by mine," replied Master Sebald unhesitatingly.
"So thou hast already declared in delivering thyself up to the hands of justice," said the president. "But that declaration, made in a moment of trouble and grief, was insufficient. It needed a public avowal to confirm it. But one question more: Thou hadst doubtless motives for the commission of so barbarous an act?"
"Assuredly," replied the sculptor. "No man kills wantonly one who was for three years his pupil and his friend."
"What cause, then, impelled thee?"
The prisoner remained silent for a moment, bowed his head still lower, clasped his hands tight together, and bit his lips till the blood trickled from them; then he replied:
"No; my motives were too holy. I will not tell them."
"Reflect, accused," said the president. "It is because thy motives were grave that they should be revealed. Reflect; and say why such a crime sullies thy once pure hands."