“‘I am papist enough,’ he said, ‘to take example by my priests, and restore no offering.’
“‘Indeed,’ said the cornet. ‘But I begin to see what offended you. Never fear, you shall not hear the word again.’
“‘You will do wisely not to repeat it. And now say what you would for your money.’
“‘Did I not tell you I cannot get promotion?’
“‘Well—’
“‘Well? In the name of all the idols, I would have a charmed sword, such as only a headsman and a Romanist can make.’
“The purse fell jingling at the Swede’s feet.
“‘Begone!’ cried the headsman. ‘I am no sorcerer.’
“‘The charmed sword is a matter of white magic, seeing it is made under invocation of the holy Trinity and of the blessed cavalier, St Martin, without aid of the powers of darkness. To-night is favourable to its forging—such a night will not for a long time recur—for me, perhaps, never—with the like concurrence of fortunate circumstances. Do my bidding, and take the rich reward. After midnight, red Mars is in the ascendant, and in the direct aspect of Venus. That is the lucky hour to put the weapon together. The blade must be a sword that has served upon the scaffold, and severed a criminal’s head from his body; the wood of the hilt must be part of the wheel upon which some poor sinner has been broken; the guard must be of the metal of chains in which a murderer has been hung. You need put it but loosely together; the armourer shall complete the work. The blade is the most important; let it be long and slender, not above two fingers broad, and with a single edge. The Tubal’s-fire you of course have: our executioners, also, keep that. Will you prepare the sword, master?’
“‘I would do so,’ replied the headsman, ‘and have all things needful;—but the fire is wanting.’