Kohlhaas answered, “Perhaps!” Then, stepping to the window, “Perhaps not, either!  Had I known that I should be obliged to set them on their feet again with blood from the heart of my dear wife, I might, reverend Sir, perhaps have done as you say and not have considered a bushel of oats!  But since they have now cost me so dear, let the matter run its course, say I; have judgment be pronounced as is due me, and have the Squire fatten my horses for me.”

Turning back to his papers with conflicting thoughts, Luther said that he would enter into negotiations with the Elector on his behalf; in the mean time let him remain quietly in the castle at Luetzen.  If the sovereign would consent to accord him free-conduct, they would make the fact known to him by posting it publicly.  “To be sure,” he continued, as Kohlhaas bent to kiss his hand, “whether the Elector will be lenient, I do not know, for I have heard that he has collected an army and is about to start out to apprehend you in the castle at Luetzen; however, as I have already told you, there shall be no lack of effort on my part”—­and, as he spoke, he got up from his chair prepared to dismiss him.  Kohlhaas declared that Luther’s intercession completely reassured him on that point, whereupon Luther bowed to him with a sweep of his hand.  Kohlhaas, however, suddenly sank down on one knee before him and said he had still another favor to ask of him—­the fact was, that at Whitsuntide, when it was his custom to receive the Holy Communion, he had failed to go to church on account of this warlike expedition of his.  Would Luther have the goodness to receive his confession without further preparation and, in exchange, administer to him the blessed Holy Sacrament?  Luther, after reflecting a short time, scanned his face, and said, “Yes, Kohlhaas, I will do so.  But the Lord, whose body you desire, forgave his enemy.  Will you likewise,” he added, as the other looked at him disconcerted, “forgive the Squire who has offended you?  Will you go to Tronka Castle, mount your black horses, ride them back to Kohlhaasenbrueck and fatten them there?”

“Your Reverence!” said Kohlhaas flushing, and seized his hand—­

“Well?”

“Even the Lord did not forgive all his enemies.  Let me forgive the Elector, my two gentlemen the castellan and the steward, the lords Hinz and Kunz, and whoever else may have injured me in this affair; but, if it is possible, suffer me to force the Squire to fatten my black horses again for me.”

At these words Luther turned his back on him, with a displeased glance, and rang the bell.  In answer to the summons an amanuensis came into the anteroom with a light, and Kohlhaas, wiping his eyes, rose from his knees disconcerted; and since the amanuensis was working in vain at the door, which was bolted, and Luther had sat down again to his papers, Kohlhaas opened the door for the man.  Luther glanced for an instant over his shoulder at the stranger, and said