Запретный лес
XX. The Judgment
"Moreofthissinfulpride!AsifthehandoftheLordwasstayedbybreakinginthedoorsandburningthethackofhonestfolks’houses!Butthesearematterswhichareproperlyforthecivilcourts,anddonotcomewithinthecognizanceofthisPresbytery.Whatdeeplyconcernsusisthecompanyinwhichitisallegedthattheseactsweredone.Mr.SempillhadashishelperoneAmosRitchie,adwellerinWoodilee,ofwhomIhadhopedbetterthings,andoneMarkRiddel,anew-cometenantofthemailingofCrossbasket.WehavehadnewsofthisRiddelbefore.Hetookaleadingpartindefendingawomanaccusedofwitchcraftintheback-end,and--thoughitseemsthatthewitch-prickerwasapoorcreaturewithsomeirregularitiesinhisconduct--yetitcannotbedeniedthatthewordsanddoingsofthemanMarkRiddelonthatoccasiongavegreatoffencetogodlyfolkinWoodilee,andledtothejustsuspicionthathehimselfhadmeddledwithunlawfulmatters....WhothinkyouthatthisRiddelturnsouttobe?WhobutthatMarkKerrthatwasacolonelwithMontroseandanotoriousmalignantandhasbeensoughtallwinterbythearmofthelaw.Chasehopehasriddledoutthewholeblackbusiness,andhasthosethatwillsweartotheman.InformationhasbeendispatchedtotheProcurator-Fiscal,andit’slikethatbythistimehandswillhavebeenlaidonhim."
"Ifearthathehasgottencleanaway,"saidChasehope."ThewordthismornwasthattherewasnoreekintheCrossbasketlum."
"He’llnogangfar,"saidtheModerator,"forthecountrysidewillbeupagainsthim.Now,Mr.
