“Let them bind thee, Stephen,” Walda said. “In the presence of death it is not meet there should be strife.” “I want my liberty in order that I may defend you from these mad zealots,” Everett answered. “Nay, Stephen, thou forgettest that I am in the Lord’s hand,” Walda replied, with a little quiver of the lips. “I surrender myself as your prisoner,” Everett said, addressing Gerson Brandt. “It will not be necessary for you to have me tied. I give you my word that I will not try to escape.” “It hath been shown to me that thou hast no regard for thy promises,” Gerson Brandt said, in an angry voice. “When thou art securely bound I shall have faith in thy word, and not till then.” The insult kindled Everett’s anger. He would have retorted, but a sign from Walda compelled his silence. He let the men tie his hands behind him. They used the rope clumsily, and drew it so tightly over the flesh that it was painful. During the process Gerson Brandt looked on, and Walda stood with eyes upon the ground. The colonists waited quietly. The elders on the platform had resumed the air of stolidity which generally distinguished them. They watched the proceedings without interference. By common consent they permitted Gerson Brandt to take the initiative in dealing with the tragic climax of the _Untersuchung_. “Let a bier be brought that the body of Wilhelm Kellar, who hath fallen into his last sleep, may be carried back to the village,” Gerson Brandt directed. Diedrich Werther with three other colonists carried a heavy bier, over which was thrown a black pall, down the grassy aisle of the out-door chapel. Following it walked Hans Peter, carrying a gourd in his hand. The body of Wilhelm Kellar was lifted upon the bier and covered with the pall. When the men stooped to raise the bier, Adolph Schneider spoke: “Behold, this day we have lost one of the leading men of Zanah. Wilhelm Kellar hath guided the business affairs of the colony. He hath been my strong arm. Lo! he is slain by the frowardness of the daughter upon whom he had centred too much affection. He hath suffered because he let her become an idol of earth. If she repenteth, so that she may become the prophetess of Zanah, her crime may be blotted out of the book of life.” He paused, but the people made no demonstration. “Repent, O daughter of Zanah!” the Herr Doktor shouted, in a voice intended to terrify all who heard it. “Repent now. Pledge thyself to put earthly love out of thy heart, and to serve the Lord forever.” “Love that hath taken root in the heart cannot be plucked out at will. This love must remain always with me,” Walda replied. “Let thy shame be upon thine own head,” shouted Adolph Schneider. “Thou art a woman possessed of Satan. Thou hast caused thy father’s death, and yet thou darest to defy the laws of God and the laws of Zanah.” “She hath committed murder,” cried a woman. “The mark of Cain is set upon her forehead.”