The questions relating to the book and signatures were based on, and made important by, then prevalent belief that one's signature in the devil's book proved the signing of a covenant to be henceforth his servant. Tituba's statement that she had seen therein Sarah Good's signature in her own blood, well might be then deemed strong evidence that Mrs. Good was a witch, and was guilty of witchcraft. But we doubt whether the witness had any conception of the fatal import of her statement. Her testimony that Goody Osburn was cross to her, while amusing, is also suggestive of the deep question whether even an apparition, produced by use of unconscious elements drawn from a human system, could or would be so permeated with the existing mental and emotional moods of the person from whom they were drawn as to cause those moods to be perceived and felt by those who might see, and receive influences from, the apparition. "The man" told her that the magistrates had come or were coming to examine her. She might have known this already, and might not. Be that as it may, on the morning of her examination A SPIRIT spoke to her. His counsel was, that she should say nothing. This advice seems wise. But it was not very "cunning" in her to repeat it, and make known its source "in presence of Authority." Willing or not she was there constrained to speak out. Robert Calef, in "More Wonders of the Invisible World," reports her as saying, "that her master did beat her and otherwise abuse her to make her confess and accuse (such as he called) her sister witches, and that whatsoever she said by way of confessing, or accusing others, was the effect of such usage."
"_Q._ Tell us true; how many women do you use to come when you ride abroad? _A._ Four of them; these two, Osburn and Good, and those two strangers. _Q._ You say there was nine. Did he tell you who they were? _A._ No, he no let me see, but he tell me I should see them the next time. _Q._ What sights did you see? _A._ I see a man, a dog, a hog, and two cats, a black and red, and the strange monster was Osburn's that I mentioned before; this was the hairy imp. The man would give it to me, but I would not have it. _Q._ Did he show you in the book which was Osburn's and which was Good's mark? _A._ Yes, I see their marks. _Q._ But did he tell you the names of the other? _A._ No, sir. _Q._ And what did he say to you when you made your mark? _A._ He said, Serve me; and always serve me. The man with the two women came from Boston. _Q._ How many times did you go to Boston? _A._ I was going and then came back again. I never was at Boston. _Q._ Who came back with you again? _A._ The man came back with me, and the women go away; I was not willing to go. _Q._ How far did you go--to what town? _A._ I never went to any town. I see no trees, no town. _Q._ Did he tell you where the nine lived? _A._ Yes; some in Boston and some here in this town, but he would not tell me who they were."