Argosy and Railroad Man's Magazine — page 175: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

® THE HAMMER. 517 the woman, Sonia, of. the practise of black art and witchcraft against the person of a Christian man, Peter Warburton?” “T do,” said Beatrice faintly. Her eyes were upon the face of Sonia, but the latter looked straight before her. “Watch the woman, Holy Father,” ad- vised Sanseverino, leaning close to the Pope, “for she cannot face her accuser.” The secretary turned back to Sonia. “You are here accused,” he said, “ of the practise of black enchantment exercised upon the person of Peter Warburton. It is stated here in writing, which you shall over- look if-you so desire.” “TI do not so desire,’ same calm voice. “Then it is stated herein,” went on the secretary, “‘ that you have so worked upon the mind of Peter Warburton that when he wrought on a statue called a statue of Venus, and to be made in the shape and the portrait of the Lady Beatrice della Marca, at the special commission of the Holy Father, you have so worked upon him that in a moment of madness he made, in- duced by your art, not her semblance, but a likeness of thee. This is so written herein. Stand up, Peter Warburton.” Peter rose. : “Speak,” said the secretary. ‘“ Do you, or do you not know this man, known as Peter Warburton?” “T do know him.” ° “You have heard the charge against you. You acknowledge the man who confronts you. Before this examination proceeds, state here, do you or do you not confess to » said Sonia in the the working of these enchantments upon him?” ‘‘ She must face the man when she speaks of him,” said Sanseverino. ‘‘ She has not even turned toward him, and unless she has eyes in the back of her head how could she know him?” “Turn to the man,” commanded the Pope. She moved slowly about, her eyes raised by slow degrees from the floor until they reached the face of Peter. She cried out and caught her arm to her face. A hum and a breathless whisper passed around the room. “Do you or do you not confess?’ droned the secretary. “Sonia, be brave! Cast the lie in their teeth!”’ cried Peter. ‘1 swear they shall not harm thee! Speak to them!” She moaned, turned from him, and drop- ping her arm from her face? “ I confess it freely!” = ‘“ Merciful God!” cried Leo. “ Can such guilt lie in so fair a flower?” “She shrank and dared not face him!” urged Sanseverino. “‘ The devil was shamed to look upon his handiwork!” Beatrice, pale but eager, clung to the arm of Antonio della Marca. He patted her hand but kept his eyes in horror on the face of the confessed witch. ‘““Tt is written,” droned the secretary, “that the woman, Sonia, has confessed. It must be further—” ““Hold!” cried Peter, waking from the white-faced trance into which Sonia’s state- ment had stricken him. “ Here is some devilish work of underhand and—” “Silence, Peter Warburton!” said Leo sternly. “ This matter concerns not thee alone, but the welfare of all Christian souls. Proceed, secretary.” “Tt must be farther learned,” went on the secretary, “in what manner were your arts practised!” Sonia dropped to her knees and stretched her arms to the Pope. ‘Have I not said enough?” she cried. “The guilt be on*my head for all that he hath done, but spare me the telling of all that I have done!” Peter sat with his face buried in his hands. He groaned now, and Beatrice della Marca shuddered as if the sound came from her own throat. : “ Poor woman,” said his holiness, never- theless shrinking in his chair a little from those outstretched hands, as if he feared a baleful influence which might fly from the tips of her outstretched fingers. ‘“‘ Poor wo- man, I may not spare thee from this farther suffering. It is not for my pleasure, our Father in heaven witness me, but for the future safety and understanding of men. Speak!” She rose, half dragged up by the Swiss guards. \ Cconniclooolks.conn