_Ques._ "Was there any blood in the bed, or any symptoms of the child having been devoured?"
_Q._ "Did the hound appear to have any thing carrying in her mouth, or otherwise, when she escaped from the house?"
_A._ "No; I did not notice that she had any thing."
_Q._ "Was there any thing else in the house at the time; any other appearance that you could not account for?"
_A._ "Yes; there was something like a leveret followed her out at the door, but I paid no regard to it."
_Q._ "Was the child baptized in a Christian church?" (No answer.)
_Q._ "Were you yourself ever baptized in a Christian church?" (No answer.)
_Q._ "Why do you not answer to these things?"
_A._ "Because I see no connection that they have with the matter in question."
"None in the least," said the old stranger, who still kept by their side.
When the king heard that the answers of the two women were so exactly similar, though the one was examined before the other was brought in, he said,--"This is some infernal combination; they are all of them witches, and their friend there is some warlock or wizard; and they shall all be burnt at the stake together before the going down of the sun."
"It is a judgment worthy of such a monarch," said the stranger.
"Father Rubely," said the king, "you who know all the men in this part of my dominions, Do you know any thing of this old man, who refuseth to give account of himself?"
"I have often seen the face," said Rubely; "but I cannot tell at present from whence he is.--Pray, sir, are you not he who has supplied the monastery with cattle for these many moons?"
"I am the same," said the stranger; "And were they not the best that ever were furnished to the Abbey?"
"Were they not exquisite and delicious above all food ever before tasted?" said the old man.
"They were indeed," said Rubely; "and I think I have heard it reported that no one ever knew from whence you brought these cattle."
"I knew myself," said the stranger, "and that was sufficient for me."
"I have heard of this before," said the king, "and I think I divine something of the matter. Tell me, I insist on it, from whence you brought these cattle?"
"I brought them from among the poor and the indigent," said the old man, "on whom kings and priests for ever feed. For Christian carrion, I provide food from among themselves."