I, the Inquisitor Fiscal, appear before your Excellencies, and accuse
criminally Don Antonio Adorno, a native of the city of Genoa, aged
twentyseven years, a soldier in the regiment of Asturias, and at the
time of his arrest, in garrison, in the town of Reus, in this
principality, now attached to the secret prison of this Holy Office,
with his property sequestered, and present here in person--for that this
person, being a baptized and confirmed Christian, and not having the
fear of God, or the justice of your Excellencies before his eyes, has
committed heavy crimes against our Holy Catholic Faith, by professing
and practising various necromantical arts, with insult to the holy
sacrifice of the mass, its sacred ceremonies, and the holy cross; also
imparting his evil art and instruments to others, for their practice,
with the like insult to the holy cross and holy sacrifice of the mass.
On which account, I hold him at least to be suspected _de levi_ in the
faith, and accuse him of the whole, both in general and in particular.
1. The said person, on a time specified, and in the company of certain
persons named, declared that he was able when anything was stolen, to
discover the thief, and in proof of this assertion, stated that he had
formerly done this by writing the names upon papers, of some persons,
among whom a sum of money had been stolen, and putting the papers into
the fire, repeating the words, ‘_Ego sum; factus est homo, consummatum
est_.’ The papers were consumed, except that bearing the name of the
thief. None but the said person could take this paper out of the fire,
and the money was found upon the one designated.
2. Some one objecting to him, that this could not be done without some
pact with the devil, he replied that it was so justifiable an act, that
he would perform it immediately after mass or communion, and it being
declared a matter to be laid before the Inquisition, he affirmed that he
would do it in presence of the Inquisitors.
3. Furthermore, he asserted that he could execute the above purpose by
rubbing the ashes of the papers upon his hand, where it would leave
impressed the name of the thief; also, that he knew another method which
he did not explain. I request that he may be questioned what this method
is, where he learned it, and whether he has practised these two last,
uttering the words before specified.
4. Continuing the conversation with the abovementioned person, he
informed him that he possessed certain instruments of use in various
ways, and in fact showed him something folded up, which he took out of
his pocket. And, on being asked whence he obtained the knowledge of
these arts, replied that he learned them from a book of magic in his
possession, which enabled him to do whatever he pleased. I request that
he may be questioned respecting this book of magic, as well as the
contents of the abovementioned envelope.
5. He told this person that he could learn from the same book how to
make himself invisible, as well as invulnerable to the thrust of a
sword.
6. Being questioned by this person whether he knew any art relative to
playing at ball, he answered, not then, but that he would come to his
house, and reveal to him a secret for gaining the favor of the ladies.
7. He went accordingly to this house, and there gave to the said person
a strip of parchment bearing these words, ‘_Ego + sum. Exe + homo
consummatum + est. Ego Juaginus Aprecor Domini Nostri Jesu Christi in
vitam eternam seculi seculorum libera me de omnibus rebus de ignis
cautus et omnia instrumenta hominum detenta me ach die ach nocte custode
rege et guberna me Amen._’ This was rolled up with a piece of lead and
bone, and directed to be worn, in the shape of a cross, next the skin,
near the heart, which would make the wearer invulnerable. I request that
this parchment may be examined, and the prisoner questioned respecting
it.
8. He also gave the same person another strip of parchment, containing
various letters and figures, taking measures with it upon his body, for
the purpose of securing him from wounds. He directed him to rub this
over with the wax which dripped from the tapers during mass, and
afterwards to wear it next his skin. I request that this may likewise be
examined, and the prisoner questioned respecting it.
9. He furthermore gave to the same person four other written parchments,
directing him to wear one of them upon the little finger of his left
hand under a white stone set in a ring. When this stone turned red, he
might play at any game except dice or _las quillas_, and be sure to win;
but, if it turned black, he was not to play. He directed him further to
put these parchments in his right shoe and sprinkle them with holy
water, after which they were to be worn near the heart. I request that
these also may be examined, and the prisoner questioned concerning them.
10. The same person requesting to see the abovementioned book of magic,
he refused him, alleging that he could not read or understand it, but
that he, the prisoner, had studied the whole. I request that farther
investigations may be made respecting this book.
11. On another occasion, when some articles had been stolen, he
discovered the thief in this manner. Collecting all the suspected
persons in a dark room, he made a harangue, and ordered each man to dip
his finger into a cup containing water, informing them that the water
would blacken the finger of the thief. Before this was executed, he
conveyed some ink into the cup. Afterwards the windows were opened with
another harangue, and each man’s finger was found black with the
exception of one who had not obeyed the direction. This the prisoner
judged to be the thief. Without doubt the abovementioned harangues were
conformable to the rest of his actions, and I request that he may be
examined concerning them.
12. Furthermore he directed that the names of the persons present on the
above occasion, should be written upon a paper and burnt. The ashes he
rubbed over his hand, where it left marked the name of the delinquent,
which the prisoner had previously written there with a certain liquor,
in such a manner that it could not be seen.
13. In the audiences which have been held respecting him, he has been
exhorted to declare the truth and confess his crimes, which he has not
done, but endeavoured to hide the enormities so recently committed by
him, thus rendering himself unworthy of that mercy which your
Excellencies extend to those who confess with sincerity, and deserving a
punishment corresponding to his great offences.
Therefore, I request and entreat your Excellencies to accept the
confession of the said prisoner, so far as in my favor, and no farther,
and to regard as fully proved my accusation, or such part thereof as may
suffice to obtain a sentence, condemning the prisoner as perpetrator of
the above crimes to the heaviest punishments thereto assigned by the
sacred canons, pontifical bulls, common laws, and edicts of this realm,
for a punishment to him, and a terror and example to others.
Furthermore I request your Excellencies that without any diminution of
my proofs, the prisoner may, if necessary, be put to rigorous torture,
to be continued and repeated till he confess all his crimes and
accomplices.
The Licentiate,