"No trials?" Jonas thought. "But ... oh. I see." "Of course," Claerten thought. "Any man who considers himself a wizard will have his mind seen by the Inquisitor. And since there are no wizards--at least, none we have discovered--" "The trials will cease," Jonas finished. "And the Brotherhood has gained a new member," Claerten said. "A member with influence and power. It is an important step forward, Jonas." "Of course," Jonas thought disinterestedly. "Yet you seem bored by the matter," Claerten thought, puzzled. "I don't see ... oh. I see the woman in your mind. The daughter. And--" "Now, stop it," Jonas thought. "Stop it. Cut off. After all," he finished, "there are times when even a hero wants a little privacy." Postscript: _In 1605-1606 (in Offenburg) there were no executions...._ --H. C. Lea, "Materials Toward a History of Witchcraft," Vol. III, p. 1148. THE END