The Witch of Cologne

‘During the birth I discovered the umbilical cord to be wrapped around the child’s neck—I had to cut in such a fashion that would save both babe and mother. After the baby was pulled free its nose and mouth were blocked. I merely sucked the mucus from these passages, thus forcing it to breathe.’

‘If I am able to prove that it is medical knowledge not witchcraft which makes you a good midwife, we may be able to secure your freedom.’

‘But how can this be shown without delivering a child in front of the court itself?’

Detlef opens the leather pouch and sets out the quills and ink. ‘Would you be able to illustrate your methods?’

‘I can but try.’

‘Good. It is the best argument we have. There has been no sighting of levitation, devil worship or the raising of the dead. It is merely the unorthodoxy of your techniques which has caused superstition.’

‘Fired by the zeal of the inquisitor. Tell me, Canon, why does he not arrange my murder as he obviously arranged Müller’s?’ She tries to hide the fear in her voice with anger.

Detlef looks at her sharply. ‘Who told you about Müller’s death?’

‘Your serving boy. Do not be angry with him, he is a sweet lad and I have a gift for extracting information.’

Indeed, Detlef thinks, wondering whether he can trust her.

‘I do not believe the inquisitor was responsible for Müller’s murder.’

‘Who then?’

The canon’s silence answers Ruth’s worst fear.

‘The archbishop? Then why should he not sacrifice me to his politics also? And why should I trust you? You are in his service.’

‘I give you my word. That is the best I can pledge. Please, Fräulein, I am your only hope.’

She stares at him wide-eyed, wondering whether she, like Müller, will receive an unwanted visitor at the dead of night.

‘I do not have a choice. But Canon, why should my case be more valuable than the others? And if I am proved innocent, what political purpose will that serve the archbishop, or even yourself?’

What can he say to her? Why has he troubled to take up her cause when there have been so many who have gone before her, many equally innocent? Is he so repelled by the moral compromises, the reduction of his faith, or is it that Ruth bas Elazar Saul embodies a nobler morality towards which he yearns himself? Or is there a more carnal impulse he is struggling to deny?

‘Why have I fought to defend you? I cannot answer that myself. But do not deceive yourself: I have enemies also. Monsignor Solitario waited until he knew I had left Cologne to hasten the executions. The two condemned were a warning from Leopold to Maximilian to stop his fraternising with the French.’

‘Innocent men sacrificed for petty affairs of state.’

‘This is the world we live in, Fräulein.’

‘So enlighten me: what am I, a mere Jew of no consequence, to the inquisitor?’

‘Emperor Leopold’s gift for being such a good lap dog,’ he says brutally, then immediately regrets his honesty.

Frightened that he should see her weaken Ruth turns to the wall.

‘It is not that your case is entirely without prospect, Fräulein. I can exploit the sentiments of the Gaffeln. Meister Voss was one of their own and highly respected. His execution has been seen as a direct intervention by Leopold, and as you know the Cologners are loath to be dictated to by anyone from outside. Even the Holy Emperor himself. You have delivered many Christian babies safely within these city walls—Jewish or not Jewish, witch or no witch, you are not without your supporters. Meister Brassant himself has told me, in private and with no small risk, that he will anonymously finance any evidence that will prove your innocence.’

‘There is something else you should know for your argument.’

‘Pray tell?’

‘There is a woman in my town, a mother who has not yet forgiven me for the travesty God fostered upon her and her child. The babe, who I delivered with my own hands, has failed to speak at all for some two years. And the mother, in her grief, has taken it upon herself to speak of sorcery. She is convinced I summoned the she-demon Lilith to the birthing.’

‘And did you?’

‘Canon, it is always my practice to hang amulets against Satan’s grandmother, but I swear I did not invoke the demon. In truth, the woman’s child does not speak for he cannot hear.’