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Chap. XLIII.
LONG MARGARET.
201
looked upon as a witch, appearing at all times when
least expected; no one liked her, though she was
supposed to be quite harmless.
She was well known to the surrounding
neighbourhood, at that time more thickly populated than now,
for many of the ancient herregaards have since
disappeared. Towards the fall of the year ’69 rumours
became rife of murders committed; of young girls
being found dead on the road-side, their throats cut,
and their hearts torn out. The greatest consternation
prevailed: the authorities and the police were on the
alert; but as the bodies were unrifled of the gold and
silver ornaments usually worn by the peasant girls, no
clue could be given to the perpetrators of the deeds.
No one ever suspected Long Margaret.
Seven of these murders had been already committed,
when one day a pedlar girl, carrying her wares on her
back, in passing down one of those very “ dells ” we
drove through on our way to Hobrø, was suddenly
seized by the long bony arms of the old Egyptian
woman, cast on the ground, and an unsheathed knife
presented to her throat. The girl screamed and
struggled with her antagonist. “Don’t struggle so,
little girl,” remonstrates the old crone: “ one little
prick and all is over!” The poor child was gradually
growing faint, when two labourers driving their cattle
along the valley, attracted by her cries, came to her
assistance. Long Margaret escaped; but was later
taken prisoner. “ Oh!” she exclaimed to her captors,
“ had I only but devoured my ninth heart I shoidd have
been far away beyond your.reach!”
On being questioned by her judges she coolly
informed them that she meant no harm; but, finding
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