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other forces at the moment in this vicinity. Probably the former. Still, if this heretic did have critical
information, and Parry were able to get it, then Lucifer would certainly pay attention. Then things could
become difficult.
The heretic was an old man, gray of beard and frail. He was not comfortable when Parry saw him; he
was in a dank dungeon, naked on the floor on his back. His wrists and ankles were roped to stakes so
that he could not move them. There was a flat board on his front, and on this were set metal weights.
The man was breathing only in shallow gasps, unable to inhale properly because of the pressure on his
chest.
"What is this?" Parry demanded, outraged.
"It is the peine forte etdure. Father," the gaoler said. "The strong and hard pain."
"I know what it is!" Parry snapped. "What I mean is, why is this punishment being practiced on this
person? I was told he has not made a plea."
"This is not punishment. Father. It is merely an inducement to cause him to make his plea."
"An inducement? It looks like torture to me!"
"By no means. Father. He is not being cut, his bones are not being dislocated, he is not being burned or
starved. He is merely being encouraged to plead."
"Because if he does not plead guilty or innocent, you cannot try him," Parry said, disgusted.
"True, Father. Criminals are becoming obstinate; they dally forever, clogging the processes of justice.
They must be made to plead."
"But under such duress, any man would plead, even if he had no guilt!"
"No, Father. Some die rather than plead."
"Some most plead guilty? What happens to them?"
"They forfeit all their goods, and are let go."
"And what of those who plead innocent?"
"They are found guilty, and punished for their intransigence, and their property is forfeit."
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"I can see why they try to avoid making pleas," Parry said dryly. "Their alternatives are starvation or
torture and starvation. Did it ever occur to you that a man might be innocent, undeserving of any
punishment?"
"No, Father," the gaoler said, surprised by his naïveté. "We have only guilty here."
Jolie appeared. "Stop talking and get him out of this!" she exclaimed. "The poor man!"
Parry agreed. "Release the prisoner," he said.
"But he has not yet made his plea!"
"I wish to talk to him. That would be hard to do if he can't breathe."
"Oh. In that case I will lessen the weights just enough to enable him to answer."
"No. Remove them all, and unbind him. I want him free of fetters."
"But Father, this is most irregular!"
Parry delivered a steely stare. "Gaoler, do you value your soul?" The man gave way, grudgingly. In due
course the prisoner was free. But he was unable to rise; he lay where he was, his gasps diminishing.
Parry tried to help him, but the man groaned. He had been bound so long that the circulation had
suffered in his hands and feet, and his joints hardly functioned. Parry had to let him be; it was the
kindest thing he could do.
"I have come to talk to you," Parry said gently. "I regret that you were put under such duress; I did not
know of it until I saw you. I will do what I can to help you escape this situation, if you will return to the
bosom of our Lord and tell me what I wish to know."
"I cannot!" the man gasped.
"Surely you can," Parry said gently. "God is forgiving, for the truly penitent."
"No, I cannot, for I dare not make a plea!"
Parry nodded. If the man confided that he had dealings with Lucifer, that would be confirmation of his
guilt, and the savage retribution of the law would wipe him out. If he denied it, and in so doing swore
falsely, there would be no salvation for him. It was certainly a difficult situation.
But the order thought there was evidence that this was a true heretic, and Lucifer had tried to prevent
Parry's arrival to interview him. This could be the source of the information Parry had to ferret out. He
could not let it go without making his utmost effort.
"Let me speak candidly," he said. "It is my desire to save your soul from the eternal fires of damnation if
at all possible. It is also my desire to learn certain information. I am not without influence. Cooperate
with me, and perhaps your situation will ameliorate."
The man's eyes nicked to the gaoler. He looked like a hunted animal. He did not speak.
That was enough for Parry. The suspect did know something!
Parry addressed the gaoler. "Allow me to interview this man alone, if you please."
The goaler's look was crafty. "I do not please. Father. This criminal is dangerous! I must remain here to
protect you from possible harm."
"This man can hardly breathe, let alone stand," Parry pointed out. "He represents no threat to me. He is
alarmed by your presence; I believe he will talk more freely in private with me."
The canny look intensified. The gaoler thought there might be revelation of hidden money. "I cannot-"
Parry fixed him with an imperial glare. "Leave us!"
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