For some time the elector tried by argument and persuasion to penetrate his secret or to induce him to make a certain quantity of gold; but as Seton steadily refused, the rack was tried, and for several months he suffered torture, until finally, reduced to a mere skeleton, he was rescued by a rival candidate of the elector, a Pole named Michael Sendivogins, who drugged the guards.

However, before Seton could be "persuaded" by his new captor, he died of his injuries.
But Sendivogins was also ambitious in alchemy, and, since Seton was beyond his reach, he took the next best step and married his widow.
From her, as the story goes, he received an ounce of black powder--the veritable philosopher's stone.

With this he manufactured great quantities of gold, even inviting Emperor Rudolf II.

to see him work the miracle.

That monarch was so impressed that he caused a tablet to be inserted in the wall of the room in which he had seen the gold made.
Sendivogins had learned discretion from the misfortune of Seton, so that he took the precaution of concealing most of the precious powder in a secret chamber of his carriage when he travelled, having only a small quantity carried by his steward in a gold box.