she waved her wand, and in a low,
croaking voice ordered us to stop.

"What seek you with me?" she asked, in the same harsh tone.

"Your assistance, good mother," answered Jacob.

"Good mother, quotha? People don't often call me good. As to whether
or not you will or will not obtain my assistance, time will show. We
have not met for the first time. I don't forget you, young sir, with a
liberal hand. Tell me, however, what you require, and I doubt not that
I shall have the power to obtain it for you."

"The task is not an easy one that we desire you to perform, dame," I
answered. "I am ready to purchase your services on your own terms; and
perhaps, as the affair is altogether connected with this world, we can
dispense with your incantations on the occasion, and proceed at once to
business."

The old woman uttered a harsh, cackling laugh: "I know not that," she
said; "but where work can be done by human means, I have no desire to
summon the spirits of the dead to my assistance. See yonder relic of
mortality. At my will I can clothe him with flesh and skin and
garments, and send him forth to accomplish my behests; but I tell you I
often have to pay dear to maintain my power, and therefore would I
rather trust to such means as my native wit affords me."

She pointed as she spoke to the skeleton of the giant. I had no wish to
dispute the matter with her, however much I might have doubted the power
she possessed, though I had great confidence in her wit and knowledge of
what was going on in the city. I at once, therefore, explained what had
happened--how Master Clough's house had been attacked, and Aveline
carried off. I did not at first tell her that we were aware of the
place in which she was imprisoned, that I might judge whether she knew
anything of the matter. But she must have suspected that we knew more
than I told her, for she declared that she could do nothing unless she
knew the place in which Aveline was shut up. I accordingly told her
that we had discovered the house, and were eager to undertake any plan
she might suggest for rescuing her.

"Well, sit down there on those stools," she said, pointing to some which
stood on the opposite side of the chamber, "Rest there, and meditate; I
must have time to consider the matter. Perchance I may have to consult
my familiar, and, if so, you must promise to remain quiet, and not to be
alarmed at my proceedings. Is there any other matter about which you