se
seized me, and I determined to unburden my conscience, and dragged
myself here, only to learn that the sweet lady of Aescendune had
died within the year, with all the symptoms of rapid decline, and
upon my sod I charge Hugo de Malville with the murder.

Given in the infirmary of the house of St. Wilfred, in the month of
May, 1068.

This dying confession was made in our hearing this day.

Elphege, Prior.

Ceadda, Sub-Prior,

Tuesday in Oct., Asc., in the year of grace, 1068.

After a moment's silence, Odo of Bayeux, the Conqueror's half
brother, and a hateful oppressor of the poor English, rose up:

"This letter does not afford any absolute proof of the guilt of our
departed brother in arms, Hugo of Aescendune. He may have bought
the liquid; there is no proof he administered it--people die of
decline daily."

"May I produce and question a witness before the court," said
Geoffrey, "in the absence of the prisoner?"

"Certainly," replied William.

A signal was given to an expectant usher of the court. Wilfred was
led out, and in a few moments two wardens entered in charge of
another prisoner.

He was tall and haggard; a long beard descended to his waist. His
peculiar nose--the most marked characteristic of his race, long and
beak-shaped, yet not exactly aquiline--marked the Jew. He looked
anxiously around.

"Thou art Abraham of Toledo?"

The Hebrew bowed submissively.

"A compounder of poisons?"

"Say rather of medicines, lord; for the making of one is the
rule--of the other, the exception."

"Thou dost not deny the accusation, which places thy life at the
mercy of the court?"

"I will own all, and throw myself on its mercy, trusting that the
relief I have oft afforded in bodily anguish, maybe allowed to
atone, in its measure, for any aid my fears may have driven me to
lend to crime."

"It is thine only chance, Jew, to tell the truth, the whole truth,
and nothing but the truth."

"I am at your lordship's disposal."

"Didst thou ever deal with Hugo, sometime lord of Malville. and
afterwards of Aescendune?"

"Once only."

"On what occasion?"

"He sought a medicine."

"A medicine?" said Geoffrey, sternly; "thou triflest."

"Nay!--a poison, I would have said."

"Of what specific nature?"

"To produce the symptoms of decline--the patient would sink and
die."

"What was the appearance of the poison?"

"Dropped in water it diffused at first a sapphire hue, but after
exposure to the a