The Compendium of Srem Read Online Free Page B

said, “It reminds me of a fortress.”
    They stopped before the wrought iron gate and pulled the bell cord. An elderly footman exited the house and limped across the gap between.
    â€œYes?” he said, his eyes full of fear.
    â€œWe have come to see your master,” Ramiro said.
    â€œOn a matter of faith,” Adelard added.
    The old man turned away. “I must go ask—”
    â€œOpen immediately!” Ramiro said. “Members of the Tribunal of the Holy Office of the Inquisition do not wait outside like beggars!”
    With trembling hands, the old man unlocked the gate and pulled it open. He led them through a heavy oak door into a large, tiled gallery that opened onto a courtyard. And there sat Asher ben Samuel, reading under a broad chandelier.
    A squat man of perhaps fifty years, he rose and came forward as they entered. “Friars! To what do I owe this honor?”
    Adelard wondered why he didn’t seem surprised or upset. Had he seen them coming?
    â€œWe will speak to you in private,” he said.
    â€œOf course. Diego, go to your quarters. But first—can I have him bring you some wine?”
    Adelard would have loved some good wine, but he would accept no hospitality from this Jew.
    â€œThis is not a social call,” he said.
    Still apparently unperturbed, Samuel waved Diego off and then faced them. “How may I be of service?”
    Ramiro pointed to the large illuminated manuscript that lay open on the table behind Samuel. “You can first tell us what you are reading.”
    Samuel smiled. “The Gospel of Matthew. It is my favorite.”
    Liar, Adelard thought. He had seen them coming.
    Ramiro unwrapped the Compendium and placed it on the table. “We thought this would have been more to your liking.”
    Finally Samuel’s composure cracked, but only a little.
    â€œHow—?”
    â€œHow it came to us is not the question. How did it come to you?”
    He backed a step and sat heavily in a chair. “I collect books. This was offered to me. Since it was of such unusual construction and written in Hebrew, I snatched it up.”
    â€œWritten in He—?” Ramiro began, then frowned. “Oh, of course.”
    â€œWhen I began to read it I realized it was a very dangerous book to have in one’s possession.”
    â€œWhy did you not bring it to the tribunal?” Adelard said.
    Samuel gave them a withering look. “Really, good friars. For years you have been trying to find a reason to drag me before you. I should provide you with such a reason myself?”
    â€œYou know as well as we that many conversos pay only lip service to the Church’s teachings and hold to their Jewish ways once their doors are closed. One cannot shed one’s lifelong faith like an old coat.”
    â€œAh, but you forget that I am a Castilian as well. If my queen and her king want to rule a Christian land, then I become Christian. It is not as if I am forsaking the Jewish God for a pagan idol. As I am sure you know, Jesus was born a Jew. The Old Testament of the Jews leads to the New Testament of Jesus. We worship the same God.”
    He possessed a persuasive tongue, this Jew; Adelard would give him that.
    Ramiro said, “So, instead of bringing this book to the tribunal, you packed it in a trunk. For what purpose?”
    â€œYou seem to know so much…”
    â€œAnswer the question!”
    â€œI intended to throw it in the river. I did not want such a dangerous text in my library, nor in anyone else’s.” He spread his hands. “But when I reached the river, I could not find it. It was gone, as if by magic.”
    Not magic, Adelard thought. A thieving Morisco.
    â€œWho sold it to you?”
    Samuel said nothing for a moment, then took a deep breath. “I hesitate to condemn another man to the rack. Do you understand that?”
    â€œWe understand,” Adelard said. “We wish to find the author of