The thieves shall be speedily judged, and not questioned
with torments, so that they may be the lustier to feel what the hangman
shall work on them to-morrow; then forsooth the show shall be goodly.
But far better had it been if we had had in our hands the great witch
of these dastards, as we looked to have her; but now folk say that she
has not been brought within gates, and it is to be feared that she hath
slipped through our fingers once more."
Roger laughed, and said: "Simple are ye folk of the Burg and know nought
of her shifts. I tell thee it is not unlike that she is in the Burg even now,
and hath in hand to take out of your prison the four whom ye have caught."
The franklin laughed scornfully in his turn and said:
"If we be simple, thou art a fool merely: are we not stronger
and more than the Dry Tree? How should she not be taken?
How should she not be known if she were walking about these streets?
Have we no eyes, fool-carle?" And he laughed again,
for he was wroth.
Ralph hearkened, and a kind of fear seemed griping his heart,
so he asked the franklin: "Tell me, sir, are ye two speaking
of a woman who is Queen of these strong-thieves?" "Yea," said he,
"or it might better be said that she is their goddess, their mawmet,
their devil, the very heart and soul of their wickedness.
But one day shall we have her body and soul, and then shall her
body have but an evil day of it till she dieth in this world.
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