Dancing in the Palm of His Hand Read Online Free PDF Page A

must speak with you about the recent opinion from the University of Ingolstadt.” He spoke quickly. “It rejects the use of accusations made by condemned witches to arrest anyone when there is no other evidence of witchcraft.”
    Hampelmann stepped forward. “With all due respect, Your Grace, I have studied the document, and it bears the mark of sceptics...and heretics. Nevertheless, if read carefully, the opinion states that in a crime as heinous as witchcraft we must proceed with utmost caution.” He looked at Father Herzeim. “But indeed we must proceed.”
    â€œI, too, have studied the Ingolstadt opinion,” said Father Herzeim, “and believe that it concurs with the opinion of the theologians at the University of Dillingen:
The protection of the innocent must be as close to the heart of the judge and the prince as the care of the public good against sorcerers.
”
    Hampelmann tasted sour wine at the back of his throat.
Protection of the innocent
.
    The Prince-Bishop’s eyes narrowed. “The Commission of Inquisition carefully protects the innocent, Father. God protects the innocent.” He turned to Lutz. “And what is your opinion in this matter, Herr Lutz?”
    Lutz shifted his considerable weight from one foot to the other. “It...it does seem that this opinion raises an important question.” He spread his hands, hat in one, goblet in the other. “When there is no other evidence...” His voice trailed off, and his bulk seemed to shrink beneath the Prince-Bishop’s scowl.
    Father Herzeim persisted. “How can we know that the Devil has not deluded these women into naming innocent people? That’s why the theologians at Ingolstadt rejected the use of denunciations. They questioned how, when we believe deluded old women in no other matter, we can take their accusations as truth.” He touched the wooden cross on his chest. “Moreover, if a witch is truly guilty, can’t we assume that she wishes to harm others and that her accusations are false? And if she is innocent, then her denunciations must be false.”
    â€œInnocent!” shouted Hampelmann.
    The Prince-Bishop laid a hand on the reliquary, his thumb caressing the crystal that enclosed the thorn. “It is the duty of the commissioners to sort out truth from falsehood, to separate the guilty from the innocent. If any of the accused are innocent, the commissioners will discover that truth during the hearings.”
    The flutter of wings was loud in the silence. The Prince-Bishop stood and opened a drawer from which he pulled a silver ladle. He scooped black thistle seed from a stoneware jar and moved toward the cage. “I trust, Father, that you will be attending the banquet tomorrow evening?”
    Father Herzeim nodded, his face grim.
    The Prince-Bishop fumbled with the tiny latch on the cage door. “Herr Lutz,” he said, “you appear to be a man who enjoys good food and wine. You must serve on the commission soon.Then you, too, may attend the banquet.” Black seeds rained from the ladle into a porcelain dish. “You are both dismissed now.”
    Lutz set down the goblet and hurried toward the door. Father Herzeim did not move. “There is yet another matter,” the priest said quietly.
    The Prince-Bishop’s eyebrows came together in a thick dark line. “Oh?”
    â€œOn the way to the fires, Frau Basser withdrew her accusations against the others. She said they are innocent, that she named them as accomplices only to end the torture. They must not be arrested.”
    The Prince-Bishop set down the ladle, then folded his arms over the gold cross nestled against his velvet robes. “This witch signed her confession to the commission. And her accusations. It does not matter that she withdrew them later. These people–” he looked toward Hampelmann.
    â€œHerr Silberhans, Fraulein Spatz, Frau Bettler, Frau Lamm, and Frau