Chapter 4 Summary

The location to where Cardinal Bem is taken is not a prison but an agricultural school. The door to Cardinal Bem's room is not locked. There are a priest, Father Prisbek, and a nun also staying at the school. Father Prisbek reveals to Cardinal Bem that he and the nun were brought to the school three days ago and told to make ready for the cardinal, as they have been brought here as his attendants. Cardinal Bem is suspicious. Since he was only attacked the night before, this information strengthens his belief that the state was behind the attack on his life.

Cardinal Bem is brought before Colonel Poulnikov, the leader of the Security Police detail that is holding him. The colonel informs Cardinal Bem that the government believes that reactionary Catholic terrorists have tried to kill Cardinal Bem in order to incite...