“The only one that’s yelling here is you,” von Balge said condescendingly.
Trauenstein sprang up. “You lousy son of a whore. I’ll . . .”
The sheriff stood up from his chair. “Sit back down now immediately. The scene you’ve made here is unworthy of a Heidelberg nobleman.”
It was obvious how much Matthias seethed with anger as he clenched his jaw. “Forgive me, good sir. I forgot my manners. The death of my child and the frail state of my wife’s health have taken a toll on me.”
“I accept your apology, Matthias Trauenstein,” von Balge said, nodding politely then turning to the sheriff and the jury. “Thank you for your intervention, my lord, although I can assure you that there are not enough words in the entire world that could possibly offend me, coming from a man like this.”
The spectators laughed openly, and even two members of the jury couldn’t help but smile. Matthias Trauenstein’s face turned a dark shade of crimson.
“But let’s get back to the point, shall we? Maid, you told my client that your mistress would die without her help.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“And why is that?”
Barbara’s lips began to twitch. “She was weak, very weak.”
“But a person wouldn’t normally be in danger of dying simply from weakness. Something else must have happened.”
“She wasn’t doing well. I don’t know any more than that.” She glanced quickly over to her master.
Von Balge sighed. “I understand. You must be paralyzed by fear.” He looked over at Trauenstein, letting his gaze linger on him calmly; Matthias looked away.
“Moving forward. You managed to persuade my client. Please tell me exactly what she did then.”
“She came with me.”
“No, I mean, exactly. Did she put on her shoes, or did she already have them on?”
“She didn’t have her shoes on. She put them on, then her cloak.”
“And you both went directly to the Trauenstein residence?”
“Yes, like I said.”
“Interesting. And did you both stay together until you entered the Trauensteins’ home?”
“That’s correct.”
“You both climbed upstairs and went directly to Adelhaid’s bedchamber?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“And there, the defendant examined your mistress then sent you to fetch herbs?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“How long did that take?”
“Just a few moments. We had everything in the kitchen.”
Andreas tapped again on his lips. “Then explain something to me: When did my client have the opportunity to obtain the foxglove?”
Barbara’s eyes opened wide. She looked over at Matthias Trauenstein.
“He can’t help you. Please answer the question.”
“I . . . I don’t know, my lord.”
Von Balge moved closer. “I urge you to consider the serious consequences of your next answer before responding. Are you absolutely sure that you saw the foxglove plant, or is it possible that you were mistaken?”
“Perhaps I was mistaken.” She exhaled a long, low sigh.
Matthias Trauenstein hissed audibly.
Andreas walked even closer to Barbara’s table. “Since we’ve come this far, isn’t it time to indulge the members of the court with a bit more truth?” He turned around and took a few steps. “Isn’t it true that your mistress was bleeding profusely and sent you to my client to beg for help to save her life?”
Barbara nodded silently.
“I have no choice but to insist that you say the words aloud.”
“Yes. She’d been bleeding.”
“Since when?”
“The entire night before. She’d lost a large amount of blood.”
“And why was that?”
Barbara shook her head. “I don’t know.” Terrified, she looked at Matthias Trauenstein, whose face reflected sheer hatred.
“You do know.”
“Please,” the maid begged. “Please don’t make me say it.”
Andreas looked at the sheriff then at the jury members. “We will spare you from saying these words at this time. But believe me, sooner or later you will need to make this statement.”
Barbara sobbed loudly.
“So, my client saw the condition your mistress was in and pulled out the child? Is that correct?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“And by doing so, she was at least able to save your mistress’s life?”
Barbara nodded.
“The child. Was it still alive when it came into this world?”
The maid shook her head. “No, its whole body was blue. It had died in the womb hours before.”
The advocate looked at the courtroom spectators then at the sheriff and jury. He looked at Madlen. Although she knew that the verdict would be to her benefit, she looked at Andreas solemnly. Barbara’s fear was almost palpable. He could see compassion tinged with regret for the woman in his client’s eyes.