‘There is only one chance of doing it known to me. It has never failed in kindred afflictions,—that I can declare. But it is hard to carry out, and especially for a woman.’
‘Tell me!’ said she.
‘You must touch with the limb the neck of a man who’s been hanged.’
She started a little at the image he had raised.
‘Before he’s cold—just after he’s cut down,’ continued the conjuror impassively.
‘How can that do good?’
‘It will turn the blood and change the constitution. But, as I say, to do it is hard. You must get into jail, and wait for him when he’s brought off the gallows. Lots have done it, though perhaps not such pretty women as you. I used to send dozens for skin complaints. But that was in former times. The last I sent was in ‘13—near twenty years ago.’
He had no more to tell her; and, when he had put her into a straight track homeward, turned and left her, refusing all money as at first.
CHAPTER VII—A RIDE
The communication sank deep into Gertrude’s mind. Her nature was rather a timid one; and probably of all remedies that the white wizard could have suggested there was not one which would have filled her with so much aversion as this, not to speak of the immense obstacles in the way of its adoption.