Chapter Xiii.

my own hand , the names of those Avhom I regard as our enemies . " The Commissioners . — " Have you been tortured ? " Ponsard De Gisi . —''' Yes , three mouths before the avowal which I made to the Bishop .

My hands were tied behind my back so tightly that the blood flowed from the tips of my fingers . I was then left for an hour in this condition at the bottom of a ditch . " This gallant Knight was the first who had

the courage to appear as a defender of the Order , although not ignorant of what such conduct would entail , for he knew that the King ATOUIC ! bitterly resent his appearance . Ponsard de Gisi appears thus next in honour to the Grand Master , and his

sublime devotion secures for him our admiration , as it procured him the glories of a martyrdom ' . His declaration has one peculiarity . We find that the King not only acted upon the infamous accusation made by Squin de Flexian against the

Order , from which he had been expelled for his villanies , but that he employed this miscreant in the task of torturer as well . No wonder so many of the Templars gave way . His fiendish hate would even surpass Imbevt ' s .

On Friday , the Grand Master was atyain brought before the Commissioners . They asked him , " Will you defend the Order ? " De Molai replied , ' ' You have read me certain letters from which I

learn that tlie Pope reserves to himself my case aud those of tho Grand Officers . I decline , therefore , to defend the Order before you . I demand immediately to bo led before his Holiness , when I will say all that is necessary to justify the

Order from the foul and malignant charges of our enemies , and to give to Jesus Christ the honour due to him . Feeble and mortal , I have , perhaps , only this moment , time to claim this sacred right . The Pope should call me ; yes , he should call me

at once , and I will speak in his presence , according to my ability , to the glory of God and of His church I" The Commissioner's then said , " We have not to occupy ourselves with particular individuals . We arc sent by the Pope to make

enquiries concerning the entire Order . " De Molai again declined to undertake the defence before them . The Commissioners were surprised at this resolution , and demanded of him , if he had nothing to say regarding the charges Avhich had

been admitted by several of the Templars ? The Grand Master replied that he required them to act legally and faithfully , and while he

declined saying anything regarding these charges , he could not help passing a eulogium upon the Order . " To acquit my conscience of wrong , I have to submit for you consideration , three observations iu favour of our Order . 1 . Is there any

Order , whose churches are better provided Avith rich aud appropriate ornaments , and with all that is requisite for the public and private service of God , or in Avhich that service is rendered with more dignity and fervour by the priests and

deacons , or conducted with greater majesty ? I only except the cathedrals . 2 . Is there any Order that gives more alms ? Is not the Order of the Temple renowned throughout the Avorld for its charity , Avhich it exercises iu a degree that no

other religions body can pretend to z-ival ? Inall our houses , it is the rule to accord alms three times a-Aveek to all the poor Avho present themselves ; and 3 , Has any Order rendered greater service to the cause of the Cross in Palestine than

have the Templars ? Tlie soldiery of the Temple have ever exposed themselves generously and devotedly to the protection oH pilgrims , and have sacrificed millions in defence of the Cross . In the

Avars Avith the infidels , their knowledge of the military art , their valour aud their devotion , have wrested victory from the hands of the unbelievers and saved the Christians . " He stated that it would have been more conducive to the interests

of the Holy Land , had the Templars' advice beentaken in the conduct of its affairs , and that generally Avhen plans were formed against their advice , defeat ensued . * He recalled the famous journey of Mausourah , when the Count tl'Artois , the brother of St . Louis , perished , because he would not follow the counsels of the Grand

Master , who had the command of the advanced guard , and rvho was killed while performing prodigies of valour , and conducting himself so as to be worthy of immortality . " In fact , there is no Order that has spent so much blood for the Church and made themselves so redoubtable to the enemies of the Catholic faith . "

1 he Commissioners replied that all these actions were praiseworthy , but that for the salvation of the soul they Avere perfectly worthless , Avithout faith , which was the foundation of the Catholic religion , and which alone could make these pains , Avorks , and valours , meritorious . The Grand