“How could a marriage consecrated by our holy religion ever be declared null and void?”

“Easily enough, if your Majesty wished it,” answered Mendoza unguardedly, for his temper was slowly heating.

“Write down that answer, Perez.  In other words, Mendoza, you think that I have no respect for the sacrament of marriage, which I would at any time cause to be revoked to suit my political purposes.  Is that what you think?”

“I did not say that, Sire.  I said that even if Don John married my daughter—­”

“I know quite well what you said,” interrupted the King suavely.  “Perez has got every word of it on paper.”

The Secretary’s bad black eyes looked up from his writing, and he slowly nodded as he looked at Mendoza.  He understood the situation perfectly, though the soldier was far too honourable to suspect the truth.

“I have confessed publicly that I killed Don John defenceless,” he said, in rough tones.  “Is not that enough?”

“Oh, no!” Philip almost smiled, “That is not enough.  We must also know why you committed such on abominable crime.  You do not seem to understand that in taking your evidence here myself, I am sparing you the indignity of an examination before a tribunal, and under torture—­in all probability.  You ought to be very grateful, my dear Mendoza.”

“I thank your Majesty,” said the brave old soldier coldly.

“That is right.  So we know that your hatred of his Highness was of long standing, and you had probably determined some time ago that you would murder him on his return.”  The King paused a moment and then continued.  “Do you deny that on this very afternoon you swore that if Don John attempted to see your daughter, you would kill him at once?”

Mendoza was taken by surprise, and his haggard eyes opened wide as he stared at Philip.

“You said that, did you not?” asked the King, insisting upon the point.  “On your honour, did you say it?”

“Yes, I said that,” answered Mendoza at last.  “But how did your Majesty know that I did?”

The King’s enormous under lip thrust itself forward, and two ugly lines of amusement were drawn in his colourless cheeks.  His jaw moved slowly, as if he were biting something of which he found the taste agreeable.

“I know everything,” he said slowly.  “I am well served in my own house.  Perez, be careful.  Write down everything.  We also know, I think, that your daughter met his Highness this evening.  You no doubt found that out as others did.  The girl is imprudent.  Do you confess to knowing that the two had met this evening?”