"Never yet did otter, leaping from a willow tree after a carp, make so beautiful a plunge," exclaimed the good seigneur count holding his sides; he was laughing so heartily. The witnessing Franks also laughed and roared, and crowded around the tank saying to one another:
"And that gurgling sound--glou--glou--glou!"
"Sounds like a bottle that is emptying itself--"
Presently the slave rose and succeeded in keeping himself for a moment on the surface. His face was livid and distorted, his hair streaming, his eyes rolling back like the eyes of a man who has escaped drowning by some desperate effort. He beat the water with the only arm that was free and cried:
In his fright the innocent fellow forgot that the life which he implored was reserved for the cruel punishment meted out to thieves, seeing the _judgment of God_ would have convicted him as such. The young man was pulled half dead out of the tank; as he lay on the floor the Franks derived increased pleasure from his contortions, and the expression of his purplish face, on which the stamp of terror was still visible.
"My son, my son, I warned you before," said the clerk in threatening accents. "Theft is a grave crime! And falsehood is another grave crime! Here you lie--guilty of both! The sacred judgment of the Lord has, in His infallible and divine truth, pronounced you guilty."
"Go to, miserable thief!" said to him one of his _conjurators_ who feared to share the punishment of Peter. "You assured us of your innocence, we trusted your word, and you deceived us--the judgment of God has condemned you! Go to, infamous fellow--we shall gladly give a hand in your execution!"
"And what about the judgment of God, blasphemer!" cried Justin, the accuser.
"Alas, I am nevertheless innocent--I did not steal the dish!"
"Hold your tongue, impious criminal! The trial that I shall now undergo with blind faith in the justice of the Lord will furnish further proof of your guilt!" retorted Justin.
"Good! Good, my dear son! Step aside from the miserable liar, thief and blasphemer! Your innocence will be quickly established; your piety will have its reward."
"Oh, I know it, good father! I long for the trial! May the holy name of God be glorified!"