sed down in a similar beam, which
likewise closed of itself. "Good, now gaze at the witch there," said
Pigavetta with a cold intonation, "and the various agreeable
instruments round about here and consider what the consequences of your
witchcraft and jugglery at Schoenau will be, if you do not become more
reasonable." Then he coldly turned his back on him. The executioner
closed the blinds of the witches' prison and left Paul alone with the
body of the old woman.

CHAPTER XII.

Paul lay in the still dark torture-chamber in a senseless stupor. In
spite of his uncomfortable position his wearied head sank on the beam
blackened with age and stained with blood, and he remained in an almost
half sleeping half fainting state. His ear however heard the song of
the heavenly hosts, and his soul was filled with joy at suffering and
atoning for the many wrongs which he had caused. By degrees his
fantastic thoughts assumed a more distinctive connection and he
determined to avail himself of any examination, either before the
judges or on the rack, to aid in the liberation of Erastus and of his
daughter. It was good for him to be here. He must now be heard. To
cause him to disappear without leaving traces, was even beyond
Pigavetta's power. The most terrible tortures would be the most
welcome, if he could but say to himself afterwards: "Thou hast atoned,
thou art forgiven." His fantastic stupor was about to change into a
veritable slumber, when he was startled by a long drawn sigh proceeding
from the rack. He looked up and saw the wearied eyes of old Sibylla
fixed on him.

"You are not dead yet, Mother," he said gently and kindly to the witch.

"So in reality it is you," replied the old woman in a husky tone. "They
have tortured me so severely that I thought I was out of my senses, and
saw only what I wished. For I wished to see you, wished cursingly to
see you, and now I am too weary, too weak to rejoice thereat. Ah!" and
again a deep sigh re-echoed through the gloomy silent chamber.

"Why did you so desire to see me?" asked Paul.

Again the witch fixed him with her glassy dead eyes. Then choked the
words out. "Did you not lead them; who bade you cut off an old woman's
escape?"

"Why did you sell yourself to the Devil?"

"There is no Devil," said the old woman indifferently.

"No Devil?" cried out the priest. "You ought best to know that one
exists, you who have so often attended the f