"Father Severinus, we intimidate children in this way, but not men!"
Severinus looked him steadily in the face. "Have you ever seen me employ empty threats?"
"No," replied Heinrich, with visible anxiety.
"Very well; then let us come to the point without further circumlocution. You must first of all be fully informed of your present situation. That you are pointed out as our agent, and consequently in disfavor here, you know, and also that you must take leave as soon as possible, if you prefer an honorable voluntary resignation to a disgraceful dismissal."
"And why must I do this? Who can dismiss me on the ground of such vague accusations?"
"These accusations will be proved."
"They cannot be, for I shall find means to justify myself. Although I cannot deny having been for some time connected with you, it does not follow that this is still the case."
"That too is provided for. We possess the most irrefutable proofs that you still maintain an intercourse with us by letter." He drew out a small portfolio. "Now I will ask you for a lamp." Heinrich lighted the candles, and saw two envelopes, which Severinus held out to him, addressed in his own hand. "You see,--these envelopes contained the replies to the General's requests concerning the erection of a private institution in H----. We shall know how to conceal the fact that these answers were refusals. It is enough that the postmarks on envelopes addressed by your own hand will afford proofs of the recent existence of a secret correspondence."
"And of what use will they be if you are forced to conceal their contents? Suppose you are asked why you do not produce the letters themselves?"
"It will be sufficient reason to say that they contained important secrets which we cannot reveal on any account."