That's enough now, children.
This is nothing for you to see. Come.
- But... - Freund will be here soon. No buts.
...flew into the air like a bordello!
My friends...
To His Majesty soon having one enemy fewer.
Everyone is cheering.
Except those who wish the King dead.
Why is Dåådh leaving at such a time as this?
I daresay he'll return.
No one must miss this.
Lady Wahlstedt...
Nordin is watching you.
- Will you not come? - Thank you.
But I find it hard to raise a glass to the snapping of a neck.
He insinuates that you are anti-royal.
Which you naturally are not, but...
it's so easy to be reported for nothing in these times.
- Nordin would very much like... - ...to see me hanged.
...to take your place.
That is certain.
Whatever you think of this theatre. do not distance yourself.
It is too dangerous.
Play along.
Is that what you are doing?
Lady Wahlstedt...
Freund!
The children are in the kitchen with Johanna.
They shall not witness the hanging.
You may commence teaching as soon as it is over.
It is time.
Where are the children?
In the kitchen, sir, with Johanna.
They are not to be there. They shall be here.
- Should we not spare their eyes this? - Spare?
Fetch them.
Ah. Dåådh!
Sir. So this is where you hang out.
Death to the tyrant!
Gentlemen, to triumph.
The King, one with his people.
A refill, gentlemen?
Hey, what are you doing?
The body's being sent to Uppsala for dissection.
Nonsense. The body is mine. I've reserved it.
- They are His Majesty's orders. - What's going on?
I am Doctor Brodersson,
and I need this corpse for my scientific experiments
and now I hear that it is to go to Uppsala for dissection.
What nonsense is this?
It is on His Majesty's orders.
I am a scientist!
My mould fungi need young. fresh meat!
What a triumph!
- Lilja's plans were well advanced. - Yes.
Our King can breathe out. at least for now.
He has more foes, of course.
But Lilja was especially dangerous
because he convinced others of his insane ideas.
Which insane ideas?
That others than the King should rule.
And all this fraternity, liberty...
- Equality. - Yes. Impossible!
That each man's life is of equal value.
Be he poor or rich. child or serf...
There, you can hear yourself how that sounds.
But what cheering there was!
- You had something to say to me? - Yes.
Pehr Lilja's corpse is to be taken to Uppsala for dissection.
- Yes. - On His Majesty's orders.
Yes.
I was wondering why.
There can hardly be any doubt as to the cause of death.
No.
You are observant. Dåådh.
But it is nothing I... dislike.
Au contra/re, it is one of the reasons I chose you as my district commissioner.
But in this instance. I must leave your question unanswered.
Of course.
There are occasions when only our monarchs closest men
are kept informed of goings on.
Close the door on your way out.
From the start:
Lady Wahlstedt...
Has something happened to you?
Yes. something has happened to me.
But it happened to me when I was born. because I was born a woman.
Thank you for asking.
The rearing of my children is my responsibility, my only...
It has suddenly dawned upon me that I have no control over that either.
I do not think children should see things they cannot understand.
You wish to break free.
I just want my words to mean as much as everyone else's.
I shall not be silent!
And I beg you.
Never be silent.
I wish to hear your thoughts.
Would that it was up to someone other than you...
It is not your place to say whether I should be silent or not.
Come now, children...
Dåådh!
The Devil rides out tonight!
Follow me!
Give me that.
Oh. Hell's teeth...
Someone has ambushed the wagon.
Killed two men and stolen Pehr Lilja's body.
Why murder to get hold of a corpse?
They're Per Lilja's followers.
Why do you think that?
Revenge, naturally.
In which case they wouldn't have killed the students.
They were innocent of Lilja's fate.
Than you have a much higher opinion of the insurgents than I.
Nordin, would you be so kind as to leave us for a moment?
Of course.
What I shall now tell you must not leave this room.
Per Lilja was arrested and sentenced...
because he had plotted against the King.
I cannot go into the evidence but I can assure you it was convincing.
Did you find out who the others were?
No.
All attempts to press Lilja to talk failed.
And believe you me. we used every means we could remember.
The one who informed on Lilja talked of a list...
of names.
He also said that this list was always with Lilja
and that he carried it wherever he went.
His Majesty wanted his body dissected to make sure
that Lilja had not invented some means of hiding the list on his person.
So the one who committed the murders and stole the body
wanted to prevent the dissection?
Yes.
- You need not have come all the way... - I bring more.
Pehr said these were secret papers that must not end up in the wrong hands.
- Have you read them? - No. Miss Raxelius.
I have not been given the gift of letters.
I shall take good care of them.
Do you know who it was that informed on him?
These are dangerous times for those who speak openly of freedom.
Pehr Lilja gave his life for a good cause.
But he is dead all the same.
Nor did I get the ring he'd promised.
What ring?
The engagement ring.
It was a fine ring, with an emerald.
He said it would be my insurance against poverty and need.
Your loyalty will not go unnoticed.
Thank you.
That is opium.
A good remedy for melancholy.
Please...
You showed much interest in Pehr Lilja's body when we last met.
What a body. Strong...
with its life force intact.
Imagine if I'd been able to cultivate my mould in him.
- Mould? - Oh, yes. Mould.
Mould...
Mould conceals many surprising secrets.
With these wretched bodies I can make no progress.
They just rot in front of my eyes before I can make reliable observations.
Human cadavers.
They're what my little fungi need.
What was that?
- Nothing. - Nothing?
Just rats, that's all.
- It didn't sound like a rat. - Well a rat it was.
I cannot get rid of them however hard I try.
All that I can do is beat them to death.
- Who is this? - No one. He's just a vagrant.
What do you want him for?
I merely want to do a few experiments, that's all.
It could lead to something important. perhaps something great!
You're reasoning that he'll soon be a corpse.
If I'm lucky...
How many poor devils have passed through this laboratory?
None.
Every corpse brought here has been beheaded.
Beheaded? By whom?
- The executioner. Axel Roslund. - Is he selling corpses?
He has been doing science a great service, that is all.
But this time. you found yourself empty handed.
The body was to be sent to Uppsala for dissection...
Was to be sent, yes.
Yet along the way it was stolen.
What have you got to say to that?
So that's why you're here?
I've not stolen anything.
I serve the Lord and have never stolen a thing in my life, upon my word.
The sin would be too great.
Where is your service ledger?
It's here.
I have a cook and a maid.
A maid and a menial.
- And soon you'll have one more. - No...
- What's your name? - His name's Gottvid Påhlsson.
But what would I want him for?
There...
No longer a vagrant.
Make sure you give the menial a good meal before putting him to work.
Nordin, did you know that Brodersson has been buying executed bodies?
You know, don't you?
Come in.
I've come for my wage.
What did you say? Eight riksdaler for a hanging?
That's right.
I've spoken to Brodersson.
You seem to have a nice arrangement.
It's not against the law.
No...
But against all common sense to make money on a dead man.
Tell me.
How come a body you're selling is suddenly stolen?
I know nothing of that.
There.
Why do you think Lilja was hanged and not beheaded?
I don't know.
- I think Lilja asked for it. - Why would he do that?
I end peoples lives in whatever way I'm ordered.
If it's true what Roslund says. that it was Pehr Lilja's wish to be hanged.
Can it be confirmed?
Yes.
It ought to be in here.
Your highness.
Here's the letter.
"I hereby humbly entreat
"that Your Majesty may show me the mercy of death by hanging
"rather than by the axe.
"Per Lilja".
Good.
Dåådh?
If you saw a blind man heading for a precipice
would you watch and let fate take its course, or come to his rescue?
Of course I would come to his rescue
as any man of reason would do.
- Who is it that's blind? - You.
You're playing with your life.
And other people";
Wahlstedt just needs to glance at you and Magdalena
and he would realise immediately what was passing between you.
Death will follow upon the passion that's so obvious
as soon as you two are in the same room.
Freund...
As I believe. Magdalena has the same feelings for me.
That much is obvious.
You cannot understand...
how impossible it would be for me
to stifle my feelings for Magdalena.
Can you not see the extent of what love can do to a person?
Why do you think I went to war?
You, who know everything.
Do not think that you are the only one to have suffered from love.
What is the matter?
I cannot breathe.
There...
Better?
You are so beautiful.
Where are my son's remains?
I know his body was stolen.
I am not disposed to discuss this matter right now.
What he did is unforgivable. but I beg you, let me bury him.
If not in consecrated soil. then at least in the ground!
I beg you!
- Mr Lilja, sir... - Who are you?
I work for Mr Wahlstedt as District Commissioner.
I suggest you come with me.
This way.
Mr Wahlstedt.
Up with you. Wake up.
It wasn't his fault. It was the company he kept.
The traitors.
Do you know them?
How could he have been so blind. so incapable of thinking for himself?
No doubt he would have claimed that you were the blind one.
Now you are being like him.
Who were they?
He kept me out of all that.
I kept myself out.
Our family fell into insolvency and I couldn't protect him.
It was my fault.
And you have no idea whom he consorted with?
Come in.
I saw you on the square when Pehr Lilja was hanged.
We were betrothed.
You were there with Miss Raxelius.
I don't know who that is.
But I saw you.
How do you know her?
I don't know her. Pehr did.
- Would you care for a drink? - No, thanks.
Do you know any others in that circle?
Around Miss Raxelius?
No, thanks.
I know nothing of Pehr's affairs.
Did he keep things here?
Like what?
Papers.
No.
Or rather, yes.
His speech about the king.
Where is it?
I burnt it.
Do you know...
if there was anything on his body?
If there were symbols or something inscribed.
Or if he carried something...
Pehr is dead. Let him rest in peace.
You haven't heard.
What?
Two medical students went to take his body to Uppsala
but somewhere along the way they were ambushed.
The students are dead and your intended's body is missing.
Who would do something like that?
My condolence.
Pehr had a ring.
The engagement ring.
It was worth a lot of money.
No one was allowed to touch it. not even me.
Even though it was meant to celebrate our engagement.
Thank you.
Commissioner...
Sit down.
When you led Pehr Lilja to the gallows. was he wearing a ring?
I don't know.
Maybe. I don't know.
Think hard.
Possibly. I'm not sure.
The square was quite crowded.
Do you think Lilja's associates might have been there?
There was no one that I noticed.
And you saw no one in the crowd behave strangely?
No.
What do you do when you're not killing people?
I'm a saddlemaker.
- A saddlemaker? - Yes.
What did you do in the hours after the hanging?
I took a few ales at the Horn and fell asleep here in bed.
Someone has murdered to get hold of Lilja's body.
Who might that be? Brodersson?
You know yourself it couldn't be him.
I don't know.
I swear. I don't know.
Why was she sitting on the seat of shame?
Don't ask so much. Anna-Sophia. it's impolite.
But what had she done wrong?
You heard what I said.
Father, why was she sitting in there?
You heard the priest's words.
Marriage ordained by God demands strict fidelity.
We must go home.
Hello there!
It's against the law not to carry a torch when it's dark.
Dåådh.
Would you care to keep me company a while?
- I'm going to the police house. - Then let me take you there.
Why the late-night ride?
Such are the times.
If you want something done it must be done at night.
It makes me think you are hunting the same thing as I.
Tell me. What are you hunting?
Here's how it is.
There is a list.
If that list falls into the wrong hands
the people on that list risk meeting the same fate as Pehr Lilja.
So?
I suspect that your name is on that list.
And what is there to say that yours is not on it too?
I have done nothing to implicate myself as a conspirator.
No.
Some stand by their ideas. others keep quiet.
I do not applaud the ruling order.
I consider it unjust.
But change must come through enlightenment and education.
- I do not believe in spilling bleed. - Is that so?
Yet you killed my brother.
No.
No!
I no longer care whether it was you or someone else who shot him.
You can infiltrate the heart of power.
And when the time comes you can be the decisive factor
as to whether people will continue to live in darkness or in a new light!
Do you sleep well at night knowing you are doing the king's work?
The cockerel of all birds is the demons' foe.
He was once a holy bird.
That's why he sits atop the steeple.
The woman outside the church was also in the grip of demons.
That's what papa said.
Man's spirit is weak.
That's why he needs God.
What had this woman done to be punished so?
Lady Wahlstedt?
Fornication was her sin.
Had she stolen something?
She had cast shame over her husband and children.
She had dishonoured their name and God's name.
She had broken her promise to God.
What promise?
- "What God..." - Freund!
"What God has joined together let no man put asunder."
Good evening. Lady Wahlstedt. Freund.
It is late.
The lesson is over. You may go to Johanna.
I was looking for the Chief of Police.
He is not at home. Please call back later.
Freund...
the lesson is over.
I shall wait for Dåådh.
If you have something to tell me. Freund.
Do so now or go.
I feel...
concern... I mean...
I am worried.
- It would pain me if... - If?
Good evening.
That applies to you too. Dåådh.
I wish to be left in peace.
I was not aware that I was doing the contrary.
I cannot be alone with you. Never again.
My husband is not at home and I should like you to leave.
You are naturally welcome here when my husband is at home.
Dåådh!
Are you hungry?
Opium.
I cannot be alone with you.
Never again.
Freund!
How is your husband?
I've been a window since March.
Is that your friend?
It looks like he needs your help.
I was not in my full senses.
It happens.
You look like you could do with this.
- Your health. - Your health.
Do not take it so seriously. District Commissioner.
In fact. I was rather enlivened to hear about your escapades.
Would you like some good advice?
Get yourself a wife. Dåådh!
It gives you new stability in life.
I do not doubt it.
And with a modest wife, of whom you are fond, you do not have to...
Well. you know what I mean.
It itches like the Devil!
A u re var?!
Magdalena!
Do you not think. if you tried.
You might find a respectable. charming woman for Dåådh?
He's not so short of cash, although his features are not the handsomest.
- His nose is rather pale, no? - Perhaps.
But he is respectable. conducts himself well.
Do you think someone might suit him?
Please...
I'm sorry, but Dåådh's love life does not interest me in the slightest.
You can think about it.
Adolfsson has been murdered.
What?
The stool.
The stool!
Early livor mortis.
Must have happened tonight.
- Throat out with one slash... - I can see his bloody throat's been out!
Do you have any idea who could have done this?
This city is teeming with scum.
What had he been doing?
Was it the same alley he was patrolling in?
He'd been watching over the prisoners here recently.
He'd been guarding Lilja.
He was guarding Lilja...
So, when Pehr Lilja was to be escorted to the gallows
was Adolfsson guarding him?
Yes.
And who came here to fetch Pehr Lilja?
The executioner, as usual. Roslund.
Roslund...
We've put reinforcements on the gates.
So if the police killer's in the city. we have him.
Mr Wahlstedt, sir. Roslund's also dead.
- Murdered! - What...
Throat cut. just like Adolfsson's.
But I know who did it.
Pehr Lilja.
Pehr Lilja? What are you saying?
He survived the hanging.
It was a sham execution.
- What in the Devil's name... - Pehr Lilja's alive.
And I think I know where I can find him.
Dåådh! This is a matter for the whole force.
Nordin, assemble the city watch!
Open the door!
Move aside!
What are you doing here?
We're looking for a murderer.
Here?
Please come in. Police Chief.
District Commissioner...
Nordin! Upstairs.
You are deplorable!
He has four lives on his conscience.
And how many died in the war?
He who insists on digging his own grave soon falls into it.
That applies as much to the king as to his lackeys. District Commissioner.
Psst!
What are you doing up so early?
Keep the pot warm.
But you'll be back for dinner.
I need to ask you some more questions.
One moment...
Good day, my Lady.
And good day to you. Freund.
I must admit that I was rather surprised
to receive your note inviting me to dinner.
Quelle surprise!
But a happy one.
Dinner for two...
Are we expecting company?
My master.
He should be here by now. He will be along soon.
He is a very pleasant gentleman. I assure you.
- May I offer you a glass? - Please.
- While we wait. - Of course.
I knew it.
That you were alive.
So you are Dåådh.
The district commissioner.
I've heard so much about you.
An impressive ring you have.
I'm sure it has many secrets to tell.
None that you will have occasion to tell.
See who it is, but don't let them in.
Good day. Mr Lilja!
I... I must talk with you.
- It's not a good time right now. - I have so many questions.
I must know who can have done this to my son.
You cannot be here. You must leave.
Let him in.
Christ in Heaven...
Are you not happy to see me?
I couldn't die.
I have too much left to achieve.
- Where are you going? - To untie the Commissioner.
Move.
Please, father. I cannot allow that.
- Who are you? - The man you raised me to be.
Your fine master appears to be taking his time. Freund.
How do you think we should occupy ourselves while we wait?
I think you have misread my intentions, madam.
One thing I can read is men's intentions.
They're not hard to guess.
No...
No... No!
My master goes round in torment.
He dreams of a woman he cannot have.
And now I have been instructed by...
by God to guide him away from the dangers of temptation by...
finding another woman able to...
You are a good person. Freund. even if you do cheat as a procurer.
But of women you know little.
A toast to that!
I don't understand.
I saw you die. I watched you with my own eyes.
What you saw...
was what he wanted you to see.
He'd come to an agreement with the executioner. Roslund.
Roslund's contraption made it look like he was hanged
and everyone believed he'd died.
But none of you knew that you'd be taken to Uppsala for dissection.
So you killed the students.
Then dealt with the last of the witnesses.
Is this true? Have you killed innocent people?
You've never understood.
The struggle has its price.
The king and his men have deprived us of everything!
And yet you still insist on being his fawning lapdog!
Stop it! The old man is your father!
You can sit here regretting that you have betrayed your friends
by defecting to the service of a tyrant.
Father.
You'll see...
You will be proud of my courage.
You're a murderer.
What is a life compared with the misery that bondage and oppression bring?
- Four lives! - There you have it.
It's that very thought that holds people back:
- "Thou shalt not kill". - And one shall not!
The struggle has a price, you must see that, Lova.
Do you see that?
Yes.
Good.
You are not a good man.
- Lova! - We don't have time.
Help to untie us!
- Where is he? - Far away.
He plans to flee. But I know how.
- Yes? How? - From the headland.
Mr Lilja, alert the city watch!
The headland.
They'll help you over the border
and then on to France.
Farewell, my friend. I thank you for your courage.
Allez!
- Lilja! - Turn back. Dåådh!
It's over. Your friends are too far away.
Keep away, for your own sake!
Lilja!
Silence!
Not another word from your mouth.
Words you never say anyway even when you should.
I beg you.
That bullet could have killed you.
You won't get anywhere!
I won't let you escape. you're a murderer!
I spared your life!
Come with me.
- Just to see the gallows again? - Beg for mercy!
I could buy my life with the names in my ring.
- But that would be wrong. - Listen to me!
They would all lose their heads.
If you really want change, don't flee.
Take your punishment. It would create such a furore!
Call out to the crowd the change you want!
Enlighten people about the freedom they are denied!
You could be the spark the makes the fire spread further than to just a few.
If you have such faith in the word. why are you so silent yourself?
Right in the heart! How easy callous minds find it to kill!
How will your accusations that I've murdered a corpse sound?
You serve your king well.
Very well.
Where's my horse?
Where is my horse?
- It's over there. - Fetch it.
Dåådh!
Don't let me disturb you.
I thought you might like to meet Madam Ulfberg.
It would be a pleasure. on a day that suits you both.
Good night. Freund.
Freund.
Freund!
Freund...