24. But one sometimes comes
to a case of this kind, that we are not interrogated where the
person is who is sought, nor forced to betray him, if he is hidden
in such manner, that he cannot easily be found unless betrayed: but
we are asked, whether he be in such a place or not. If we know him
to be there, by holding our peace we betray him, or even by saying
that we will in no wise tell whether he be there or not: for from
this the questioner gathers that he is there, as, if he were not,
nothing else would be answered by him who would not lie nor betray
a man, but only, that he is not there. So, by our either holding
our peace, or saying such words, a man is betrayed, and he who
seeks him hath but to enter in, if he have the power, and find him:
whereas he might have been turned aside from finding him by our
telling a lie. Wherefore if thou know not where he is, there is no
cause for hiding the truth, but thou must confess that thou knowest
not. But, if thou know where he is, whether he be in the place
which is named in the question or elsewhere; thou must not say,
when it is asked whether he be there or not, “I will not tell
thee what thou askest,” but thou must say, “I know where he is,
but I will never show.” For if, touching one place in particular
thou answer not and profess that thou wilt not betray, it is just
as if thou shouldest point to that same place with thy finger: for
a sure suspicion is thereby excited. But if at the first thou
confess that thou know where he is, but will not tell, haply the
inquisitor may be diverted from that place, and begin now to ply
thee that the place where he is may be betrayed. For which good
faith and humanity whatever thou shall bravely bear, is judged to
be not only not culpable, but even laudable; save only these things
which if a man suffer he is said to suffer not bravely, but
immodestly and foully. For this is the last description of lie,
concerning which we must treat more diligently.