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In the 16th Century, Petrus is a pajnter, Neelke is his wife.
Three days later, however, a stranger rode into town with a pike-man. Neelke saw him ride to the church and go inside. Then he came out and mounting his horse again rode off along the second road. He went directly to Petrus' workshop.
There, with the pike-man stationed at the door he entered and asked for Petrus.
At first, Petrus thought he was a customer but was shocked when the man announced himself.
"Petrus Versmissen," he said in a solemn voice. "I am a Constable of the Reeve of Antwerpen and I have come to take you to the city to answer charges that have been laid against you."
Petrus burst out in astonishment: "Me? What do you mean charges'? I have done nothing except run a workshop in paintings. There must be a mistake."
Herman and Joris joined in. "Surely there is a mistake, our master is the best of men, he has a family and goes to church regularly."
That didn't seem to stop the Constable at all. He ignored them and continued speaking to Petrus. "You need to get ready. I will accompany you to your home so that you can get your horse and say good-bye to your wife. You are likely to be gone for a long time. I hear the charges against you are very severe."
"Charges against me? What charges?"
Well, the church will tell you exactly what charges. I am not supposed to say. However, it appears," he said, with a satisfied smirk on his face, "it appears that you have been corrupting the population of the City. You have been purveying obscene paintings of an evil woman."
Then, glancing across the room, he saw a painting of Angelina, just finished and placed on the table to dry.
"There," he said pointing to the painting, "there's one of the heretical paintings that you have been spreading around the city and corrupting young and old alike."
He marched across the floor and picking up the canvas, looked at it carefully, perhaps even too carefully, and then announced triumphantly, "I will take this for evidence. Come now. Let's not have more dallying. We need to get back to Antwerpen today."
With that, he took Petrus by the arm and marched him outside and gave him into custody of the pike-man. Mounting his horse he rode to Petrus' house while the others walked behind.
At the house, Petrus tried to explain to Neelke and in the midst of her tears and protestations, they left for Antwerpen. Petrus' horse was curiously docile as if it knew that something serious was afoot.
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