The events and the characters in this novel were not invented by me. To critics, I refer the evidence of history. If there appears too much violence, I recommend a study of the Massacre of St. Bartholomew, and the acts of that most Catholic Christian gentleman, Philip of Spain, in Holland. To those who believe the Roman Hierarchy is uniformly vicious, I refer the lives of many heroic priests, without whom the cause of civilization would long have perished. Men of good will are not confined to one creed or race, but can be found in the most unlikely places. To these men this novel is dedicated with reverence.