"You mean that she will be taken to the prison to be dealt with by the
Holy Office?" queried Montalvo.

"Not exactly, Excellency," answered the sergeant with a discreet smile
and a cough. "The prison, I am told, is quite full, but she may start
for the prison and--there seems to be a hole in the ice into which,
since Satan leads the footsteps of such people astray, this heretic
might chance to fall--or throw herself."

"What is the evidence?" asked Montalvo.

Then Black Meg stood forward, and, with the rapidity and unction of a
spy, poured out her tale. She identified the woman with one whom she had
known who was sentenced to death by the Inquisition and escaped, and,
after giving other evidence, ended by repeating the conversation which
she had overheard between the accused and Lysbeth that afternoon.

"You accompanied me in a fortunate hour, Senora van Hout," said the
captain gaily, "for now, to satisfy myself, as I wish to be just, and do
not trust these paid hags," and he nodded towards Black Meg, "I must
ask you upon your oath before God whether or no you confirm that woman's
tale, and whether or no this very ugly person named the Mare called down
curses upon my people and the Holy Office? Answer, and quickly, if you
please, Senora, for it grows cold here and my horse is beginning to
shiver."

Then, for the first time, the Mare raised her head, dragging at her
hair, which had become frozen to the ice, until she tore it free.