The suspicion, and dire effects have since confirmed and justified it. In

Particular, it is in evidence that through the wicked power so obtained, they

Did invoke and bring about a storm that wasted all the region round about.

Above forty witnesses have proved the storm; and sooth one might have had a

thousand, for all had reason to remember it, sith all had suffered by it.'

'Certes this is a serious matter.' Tom turned this dark piece of scoundrelism

over in his mind awhile, then asked:

Мультиязыковой проект Ильи Франка www.franklang.ru

'Suffered the woman, also, by the storm?'

Several old heads among the assemblage nodded their recognition of the

Wisdom of this question. The sheriff, however, saw nothing consequential in

The inquiry; he answered, with simple directness.

'Indeed, she did, your majesty, and most righteously, as all aver. Her

habitation was swept away, and herself and child left shelterless.'

'Methinks the power to do herself so ill a turn was dearly bought. She had

Been cheated, had she paid but a farthing for it; that she paid her soul, and

her child's, argueth that she is mad; if she is mad she knoweth not what she

doth, therefore sinneth not.'

The elderly heads nodded recognition of Tom's wisdom once more, and one

individual murmured, 'An the king be mad himself, according to report, then