itch, not the Wise Woman who deals in honest
simples and harmless charms. Go home and say thy prayers, Maiden, and
squeeze the black drop out of thine heart, that thou fall not into the
power of the Evil One. Depart!"

This interview quite satisfied Ermine that Haldane was no genuine witch
of the black order. However dubious her principles might be in some
respects, she had evidently distinct notions of right and wrong, and
would not do what she held wicked for gain.

Other applicants came at intervals through the day. There were many
with burns, scalds, sprains, or bruises, nearly all of which Haldane
treated with herbal poultices, or lotions; some with inward pain, to
whom she gave bottles of herbal drinks. Some wanted charms for all
manner of purposes--to make a horse go, induce plants to grow, take off
a spell, or keep a lover true. A few asked to have their fortunes told,
and wonderful adventures were devised for them. After all the rest,
when it began to grow dusk, came a man muffled up about the face, and
evidently desirous to remain unknown.

The White Witch rested her hands on the staff which she kept by her,
partly for state and partly for support, and peered intently at the
half-visible face of the new-comer.

"Have you a charm that will keep away evil dreams?" was the question
that was asked in a harsh voice.

"It is needful," replied Haldane in that hollow voice, which seemed to
be her professional tone, "that I should know what has caused them."

"You a witch, and ask that?" was the sneering answer.

"I ask it for your own sake," said Haldane coldly. "Confession of sin
is good for the soul."

"When I lack shriving, I will go to a priest. Have you any such charm?"

"Answer my question, and you shall have an answer to yours."

The visitor hesitated. He was evidently unwilling to confess.

"You need not seek to hide from me," resumed Haldane, "that the wrong
you hold back from confessing is a deed of blood. The only hope for you
is to speak openly."

The Silence continued unbroken for a moment, during which the man seemed
to be passing through a mental conflict. At length he said, in a hoarse
whisper--

"I never cared for such things before. I have done it many a time,--not
just this, but things that were quite as--well, bad, if you will. They
never haunted me as this does. But they were men, and these--Get rid of
the faces for me! I must get rid of those terrible faces."

"If