"
"Didst thou know the purpose for which he bought the drug?"
"My lord, I did not, nor do I know now; my humble occupations do
not lead me amongst the mighty of the land, save when they seek my
humble shop."
"Still thine offence, Jew," said the stern voice of the Conqueror,
"is a damnable one, and lendest itself readily to the purposes of
crime.
"Let the unbeliever be removed in custody.
"My lord of Canterbury, he is a heretic--perchance a sorcerer; let
the Church see to him."
And so the poor Jew was removed to his dungeon.
"And now with your favour," said Geoffrey, "I would ask a few
questions of the prisoner, in your presence."
"The permission is given," said William.
Wilfred was again conducted before the court.
"Thou hast dared to brand thy late stepfather as the poisoner of
thy mother; wilt thou state any cause or justification thou mayest
have, over and above that indicated by the letter and confession we
have read?"
"I did not dream of such guilt before I heard that confession,
months after the death of my mother."
"Hadst thou ever seen medicine administered to her?"
"Frequently, by the baron her second husband himself. He called it
the elixir of life, and stated he had obtained it at a high price,
from a noted Jewish physician.
Pages:
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251