Part 41 (1/2)

Furious with rage at this taunt, the headsman gave the gibbering witch such a blow on the head, with the leaden k.n.o.b of his scourge, that she never spoke another word on this earth; then, rus.h.i.+ng to the edge of the scaffold, he stretched out his arm and pointed his whip at Valentine.

The town-councilors sprang to their feet with a shudder.

Then Valentine said in a calm voice: ”It is so--it is true!”

Augustus Zwirina immediately turned toward him and said: ”Then, Mr.

Valentine Kalondai, the time has come for you to lay down the sheriff's staff!”

Valentine surrendered his staff, descended from the tribune, and went straight home. He went quite alone. Not a soul accompanied him.

When he got home, pretty Michal could read from his face that misfortune had overtaken him.

”It's all up. We are betrayed and openly accused.”

Pretty Michal was not dismayed by this intelligence, she was prepared for it.

”I only ask one thing of you,” said she to Valentine, ”and as you love me, you must grant it. Our sole defense is that Henry Catsrider, when he married me, gave himself out to my father as a different person from what he really was. That is an impediment which nullifies the marriage. We might, therefore, defend ourselves by contending that I was not his true and lawful wife, that he married me under false pretenses, and kept me in his house by force. I pray and beseech you not to offer any such defense. My poor father knows not what has befallen me, and I wish him never to know it.”

”But I have a mother.”

”Her heart will break for your sake. I know it. But then she will live forever among the choirs of angels. She has nothing to reproach herself with. Her inward monitor does not accuse her. But it is my father's own fault that I came into this terrible situation. If he ever learns that he is the sole cause of all this sorrow and shame, it will not only be the death of him, but it will make him lose his hopes of heaven.”

Valentine kissed his pretty Michal.

”You are right. We will not defend ourselves.”

At that moment worthy Simplex appeared.

”Quick, comrade! Take horse! The gates are not yet closed. Twelve of your trusty friends have banded to a.s.sist your flight. There is no time for reflection. The town council is at this moment deciding your fate.”

But Valentine answered: ”If I alone were concerned, I do not say that I would not attempt to escape. But there are two of us, and rather let my head be thrown into the dust along with the head of my Michal than her name and mine should be written over the pillory to our eternal shame. Here we remain, come what may.”

”Good! Be it so!” said Simplex. ”But, at least, defend yourself. You know the rule: 'Si fecisti, nega!' We will give the accusers enough to do. I will swear that I saw with my own eyes the wife of Henry, the hangman, perish in the flames. I don't care very much whether I am a cell higher or lower in h.e.l.l. I know the commandment says: 'Thou must not bear false witness against thy neighbor.' But there is nothing said about bearing false witness to befriend thy neighbor.”

”No, my good Simplex! we don't do that. If my Michal were to say that she had never been Henry's wife, but was another person, she would next be asked who she really was then, and who her father was.

But this she never will say. Do you understand why?”

”Yes, comrade, I do understand. She would spare the white hairs of her father.”

”And if she would not answer this question, would you like them to lay upon the rack her whom I adore?”

Valentine, in his anguish, pressed the trembling creature to his breast, while Simplex gnashed his teeth, and struck his forehead with his fist.

”And finally,” said Valentine, proudly raising his head, ”I would rather die one hundred times over, and see my wife die before my eyes, than let a single lie cross my lips, which would make me blush when I stood face to face with the knacker of Zeb. Rather let my blood trickle to the ground than stream into my face for shame!

What! would you have me lie to this man, and then turn my face away from him? I will oppose him boldly, tell him the truth, and then spit in his face.”

”Right, Valentine, right! You are acting like a true man,” said Simplex, while pretty Michal fell at her husband's feet and kissed his hands. ”Then you must accept our last offer. If you will neither fly nor lie, our twelve trusty friends will give good bail to the city magistrates to prevent you from being put in fetters.”

”I will accept that offer thankfully, and make bold to say that they will lose nothing by it.”