ydia, the old witch of the Kreuzgrund. Before her lay the bleached
skull of a child, around which she had placed three lights. Over a
coal-fire was swung a vessel containing a strangely smelling water.
Near wriggled the bodies of three snakes whose heads had been cut off.
All kinds of magical implements were scattered around. The witch
herself had fallen fast asleep. "Mother Sibylla," shouted the Miller
loudly in her ear, "what has become of the maiden, who was waiting here
this evening?"

The witch started up and stared at Werner. "The fair Ly----," murmured
she half asleep, and then became silent.

"Where is she?" repeated the Miller.

"I know nothing about the matter," murmured the old woman, now
thoroughly aroused.

"You know all, the name was even on your lips. Do you confess
everything or else to-morrow I tell the magistrate that I have already
found you twice at midnight on the Kreuzweg, and the previous week
before sunrise by the Linsenteich."

The witch grinned. "They will burn you as well as me, if I say, what I
know about you."

"I however die for the Lord Jesus Christ and you for Satan." The old
woman would have laughed mockingly but suddenly the forest immediately
behind her seemed alive. A cock crowed, then the grunting of swine was
heard together with an outlandish neighing.

"Be quiet, George," said the Miller angrily. The witch stared at him in
fear, then looked behind her, thinking to see in the thicket a man
breathing out flames. "What do you wish to know," she tremblingly
asked.

"What has become of the maiden?"

"The sons of the host of the Rose, and the red Maier frightened her
away from here. She flew towards the cloister, I heard the three
shouting after her. What they have done to her, I know not."

The old man's heart sank within him, then he said sternly: "When was
that?"

"It may have been four hours ago, the moon had just risen."

"Then are we too late. May God have mercy on your soul, if you have
caused this. And now quit this foolery," and he gave her kettle a kick,
causing it to tip over, so that the coals flamed up with the fat of the
snakes. "Come out, George, and show her, what sort of devil has
frightened her." The boy came out and stood before the fire looking at
the old woman mockingly. "The plague seize thee and thy father."

"Yes the plague, always the plague," quoth the old Miller, "but if ever
it comes you will have wished you had not called upon it. I tell you,