"My friends," said Markus, "you have been taught in your schools and churches of a Spirit of Truth, which was to come as the Comforter of mankind. "Well, then, this which has now taken possession of you, and which has strengthened all your hearts and brightened all your eyes--even this is the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, the Holy Ghost. "For Truth and Righteousness are _one_, and proceed from One. From your cheerful and courageous eyes I see that you know surely, with a full conscience, that it is the truth which has stirred you, and that you are to risk your lives in the cause of justice. "And that this spirit is a Comforter you will find by experience; that is, if you are loyal. "But this I now say to you, because you do not know as I know, that truth is like a mountain-path between, two abysses, and that it is more difficult to maintain than the tone of a violin. "You have suffered injustice; but you have also committed injustice. For the act of oppression is injustice, and it is also injustice to permit oppression. "You have been taught otherwise, and have been told it is written that injustice will be permitted. But even if this were written, the Spirit of Truth would cause it to be erased. I say to you that whoever practices injustice is an evil-doer, and whoever permits injustice is his accomplice. "There is a pride which in God's eyes is an honor to a man, and there is also an arrogance which will cause him to stumble and to be crushed. "The Spirit of Truth says this: 'Acquaint yourselves with your own value, and endure no slight which is hostile to the truth.' But he who overestimates himself will have a fall, and God will not lift him up." After these powerful and penetrating words, which sounded like a threatening admonition, Markus sat down, resting his head upon his hand. After waiting awhile in silence, the whispering crowd dispersed with shuffling footsteps, without having made a sign of approval or acquiescence. "May I stay with you, Markus?" asked Johannes, softly, afraid of disturbing his guide. Markus looked up kindly. "How about your little comrade?" he asked. "Would she not grow uneasy? Come with me. I will show you the way back again." Together they found the way in the night through the woods to the little resort and the lodging-house. But excepting an exchange of "Good-nights" not another word was spoken. In his great awe of him, Johannes dared not ask Markus how he knew all about his adventures. II The next morning, in the dirty little breakfast-room of the lodging-house, there mingled with the usual smell of fresh coffee and stale tobacco smoke the fragrance of wood-violets and of musk; for a pale lavender note, written with blue ink, was awaiting Johannes. He opened it, and read the following: Dearly beloved Soul-Brother: