'This is a case in which mercy, rather than severe justice, should prevail,' remarked the strong-believing Bibran. 'The captain's conduct was too horribly severe, and must lead to greater evils.' 'Let the murderer be led hither,' said Goes. 'I will examine him.' The adjutant retired, and soon returned with Dorn in chains and surrounded by guards. As Goes glanced towards him, he started back with fright, exclaiming, 'my God, what a terrible resemblance!' Calm and collected, the young man stood there, with his eyes stedfastly fixed upon the colonel. With, much effort the latter recovered his equanimity, and now asked, 'know you what sentence the laws pronounce upon the assassin of one of the emperor's officers?' 'I have committed no murder,' resolutely replied Dorn. 'I have only punished, in the presence of his soldiers, a villain who abused his power, and trod under foot the holiest laws of nature.' 'That voice, too!' said the colonel to himself, then turning to Dorn, 'self-avenging is not to be justified. Your act is treasonable, and no evasion can save your forfeited life.' 'Well, then, pronounce sentence upon your son!' cried Dorn, with a sorrow which he could no longer control. 'Son!' exclaimed all present with the utmost astonishment, and the horror-stricken Goes fell back into a chair, sighing, 'it is, indeed, my son!' The son beheld his father with deep emotion, and his tears freely flowed at the sight of the old man's grief. At length, falling upon his knee, he stretched forth his hands and said, 'I am sensible that according to your laws my life is forfeited; therefore give me your blessing, and then quickly pronounce the sentence that shall bring peace to this troubled heart.' 'Oswald, Oswald!' cried Goes, 'what a terrible meeting, after ten years of separation! Wretched youth! why did you flee from your father's house?' 'The conflicting opinions which now lacerate Germany,' answered the youth, 'placed a dreadful gulf between you and me. The idea of constraining the consciences of men by means of the sword was revolting to me, and, unable to approve or participate in your acts, and shuddering at your sectarian zeal, I left you, that no unnatural contest might arise between father and son.' 'Where have you been until now?' asked the colonel with an anxiety which indicated that he feared to hear the worst. 'In the military service of Denmark,' answered Oswald, 'until two years ago I found here in Schweidnitz, in the seclusion of humble life, the peace and quiet which I sought.' 'In the Danish service!' murmured the colonel; 'fighting for heresy against the mother church!' His grief overpowered him. At length he roused himself by a powerful effort from the whirlpool of conflicting feelings into which he had sunk. 'What could prompt you,' he asked his son in a tone of firmness and severity, 'to the senseless deed of murdering an imperial officer in a city under the control of his brethren in arms?'