At one price only can I give it, and it is
that I am there to see it used.'
She thought a while and answered: 'It may be done, for as it chances the
wording of my absolution will cover it. But you must come cowled as a
priest, that those who carry out the sentence may know nothing. Still
others will know and I warn you that should you speak of the matter you
yourself will meet with misfortune. The Church avenges itself on those
who betray its secrets, senor.'
'As one day its secrets will avenge themselves upon the Church,' I
answered bitterly. 'And now let me seek a fitting drug--one that is
swift, yet not too swift, lest your hounds should see themselves baffled
of the prey before all their devilry is done. Here is something that
will do the work,' and I held up a phial that I drew from a case of such
medicines. 'Come, veil yourself, mother, and let us be gone upon this
"errand of mercy."'
She obeyed, and presently we left the house and walked away swiftly
through the crowded streets till we came to the ancient part of the city
along the river's edge. Here the woman led me to a wharf where a boat
was in waiting for her. We entered it, and were rowed for a mile or more
up the stream till the boat halted at a landing-place beneath a high
wall. Leaving it, we came to a door in the wall on which my companion
knocked thrice.
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