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And in further reply to your question, if God permits me to see the light of day, I shall be an emperor who rules." "It delights my heart to hear you say so. And now I ask, as a favour, that you allow me to deal untrammelled with the Fehmgerichte." "I grant that most willingly."
"You have received two other warnings then?" she said in a low voice. "Yes, your Majesty. What is their meaning?" "They are the death warrants of the Fehmgerichte, a dread and secret tribunal before which even emperors quail.
It is quite in your power to set me free, and then the qualities you are kind enough to commend, may have an opportunity for development." "Alas!" said the visitor, "it is not in my power to release you; that lies entirely with yourself." "You bring comforting news. What is the price?" "You are asked to become a member of the Fehmgerichte."
"May I ask if you are a member of the Fehmgerichte?" "I am not. I never heard of it until this afternoon." "Who was then your informant regarding the order?" "I refuse to answer." The examiner inclined his head gracefully as if, while regretting the decision of the witness, he nevertheless bowed to it. "Do you acknowledge his lordship the Archbishop of Mayence as your over lord?"
Wilhelm remembering that priests were not allowed to join the order of the Fehmgerichte reflected that here was a man who probably, from his fearless denunciations of the order, had brought down upon himself the hatred of the secret tribunal, whose only penalty was that of death. The older man was the first to speak. "So you also are a victim of the Fehmgerichte?"
Wilhelm sprang forward and buried the dagger of the Fehmgerichte into the heart of the man before him. His action was so unexpected that the victim could make no motion to defend himself. So truly was the fierce blow dealt that the doomed man, without a cry or even a groan, sank in his death collapse at the young man's feet in a heap on the floor.
And now, your Majesty, I beg you to put on this cloak which I have been wearing, which will leave me free speedily to overpower our visitor." The Emperor arrayed himself and stood, as he was fully entitled to do, a fully costumed member of the Fehmgerichte. Wilhelm opened the door and said softly: "Enter, brother, that I may learn if the arrangements just made are confirmed by your wisdom."
The name "Fehmgerichte" kept repeating itself in his brain like an incantation. He took the middle of the square and hesitated when he came to the narrow street down which his way lay. At the street corner he paused, laid his hand on the hilt of his sword and drew a deep breath. "Is it possible," he muttered to himself, "that I am afraid? Am I at heart a coward?
"The Emperor is the nominal head, but my husband never approved of the Fehmgerichte; originally organised to redress the wrongs of tyranny, it has become a gigantic instrument of oppression. The Archbishop of Cologne is the actual president of the order, not in his capacity as an elector, nor as archbishop, but because he is Duke of Westphalia, where this tragic court had its origin."
"Your Majesty," he whispered, "the situation is extremely critical, and I entreat you to maintain silence while I make explanation to you. I am Wilhelm, the loyal commander of the Imperial forces, your Majesty's most devoted servant." "Are you then," said the amazed monarch, "also a member of the Fehmgerichte? I thought you came here as a prisoner, and, like myself, a victim."
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