a dying woman, who had some crime on her soul, which she wished to
depose before fitting witnesses."

"Of what nature?"

"I was not told. I waited to learn."

"Why didst thou hesitate to say this just now?"

Poor mayor! He stammered out that he hoped he hadn't offended
therein.

"The fact is that you knew the men, your companions, came as my
enemies, and suspected that the lies that witch, whom Satan is just
now basting, meant to tell, affected me! Don't lie, or I will
thrust the lie down thy throat, together with a few spare teeth; my
gauntlet is heavy."

"It was so," said the terrified citizen of Hamelsham.

"Ha! ha! Well, it matters little to me what thou mayest say, or
what thy silly townsfolk think of me: the gudgeons probably talk
much evil of the perch, but I never heard that it hurts him much,
or spoils his digestion of those savoury little fish. But thou must
pay for it: I fix thy ransom at one hundred marks."

"Good heavens! I have not as many pence!"

"Swear not, most fat and comely burgher. The money must be raised,
or I will send the good citizens of Hamelsham their mayor bit by