The Secret Healer(105)

Andreas nodded. “At the end of the day, we can only do what’s within our power, in order to do the right thing in accordance with the law.”

“Well said.” Johannes smiled. “Let’s try to make everything right and save Madlen’s life.”





Chapter Thirty-Two





Elsbeth was desperate. She didn’t know what to do if her plan failed. She’d asked all over Worms, trying to find those who’d been healed by Madlen when sick with the cough. But everybody just shook their heads. She tried to convince Roswitha two more times without success. Roswitha was much more willing to believe that she was being forced to testify against her friend; she remained resolutely silent about what had happened when she was a servant in Agathe’s household. Elsbeth had also spoken with Sander, but he hardly said a word, either, despite Elsbeth’s vows that she only wanted the best for Madlen.

Now Elsbeth resorted to announcing throughout Worms that those who would come forward to testify that evening at St. Paul’s Church would be able to earn quick money; it didn’t matter if it was a lowly servant or a lofty member of the high council. It was a last desperate attempt; she had even confided in her husband. Peter Goldmann could only shake his head sadly over the latest developments. As she had expected, he didn’t think her efforts carried much weight; he was the type that would rather just let things go, exactly as he always did.

People flocked to the church and were greeted at the entrance by Brother Simon, who welcomed each and every one into the house of the Lord. The monk had only agreed to this gathering because Elsbeth had made a generous donation. But he seemed pleased that, due to his benevolence, the house of the Lord was being used for the good of mankind. Elsbeth had kept her composure despite this seemingly holy man’s greed. Surely, not even one-third of her donation would be applied to the good of the church’s congregation; more than likely, most of the money would be used for worldly pleasures strictly forbidden by doctrine. But Elsbeth could not fight the cleric’s odious behavior on top of everything else.

She was nervous and rubbed her cold hands together. More and more people came in and crowded together in the church pews. Would this project succeed? She waited a while until everyone settled down, and Brother Simon closed the door. When he gave her a sign, Elsbeth stood, then went to the front of the church; her knees trembled as she faced the crowd.

“Dear friends.” She cleared her throat and held up her hands to ask for quiet, waiting until the church was dead silent. “Dear citizens of Worms,” she began again, this time with a louder and clearer voice. “I’ve asked you all to come here today because I have something important, something vitally important, to say.”

The crowd looked at her in anticipation.

“We all know what has been said about the secret healer.” She raised her hands again to calm down the crowd’s obvious uneasiness. “I know that you’re afraid,” she continued. “You’re afraid of being punished because you let this woman help you.” The crowd became uneasy again, and Elsbeth feared they would get up and go. She had to explain things quickly so they would listen. “The secret healer needs your help now.” She let her words hang in the air. “She saved your life. Say what you want, but this woman has never done anything wrong.”

The crowd whispered to one another, but their mood seemed to change. They listened with a degree of reluctance, but were still interested in hearing her out.

“Some people say that she has no right to heal.”

“And that’s true!” The city physician jumped up.

“And why not?” Elsbeth shot back.

“She gave people false hope.”

“She,” Elsbeth said, enunciating carefully, “never promised anybody anything. She simply helped people to be healthy again.”

“Elsbeth Goldmann, how dare you!” The physician’s face was red as a beet.

“How dare you speak so poorly about a woman who never charged a penny for saving the lives of many who sit here with us today! She did it out of compassion and not for profit, as you have.”

The color of his face changed from dark scarlet to blue. “It’s my job. Everybody takes money for his work.”

“That’s true. This is not meant as a condemnation of anyone here. I’m simply stating that the healer did not get paid.”

“Because she shouldn’t have been. She’s no doctor.” He slammed his fist down on a pew.

“That’s correct. However, she was able to do what you could not. And in exchange, she got nothing more than eternal thanks from those she was able to save.”