“A good knot on a bad rope is no better than a bad knot,” said Alvin. “I think it was old Ben Franklin what said that first. In Poor Richard.”

Peaseman’s face went a little darker. “You’ll do us the favor of not quoting that wizard’s words.”

“He wasn’t no wizard,” said Alvin. “He was a patriot. And even if he were as wicked as ... as the pope, the words are still true.”

“Hold still,” said Peaseman. He tied the knot again, tighter, and then redoubled it.

“I’ll try to hold my hands still so it don’t slip off,” said Alvin.

“He’s toying with you,” said Purity. “Don’t you see this is his hidden power? Don’t you know the devil when you see him?”

Peaseman glared at her. “I see a man and a rope that don’t hold a knot. Who ever heard of the devil giving a man the power to untie knots? If that were so, how would ever a witch be hung?”

“He’s mocking you,” Purity insisted.

“Miss, I don’t know how I offended you,” said Alvin. “But it’s a hard enough thing for a traveler to be named for a witch, without being accused of causing everything that happens. If one of these men loses his footing and falls into the river, will that be my doing? If someone’s cow sickens somewhere in the neighborhood, will it be blamed on me?”

“You hear his curses?” said Purity. “You’d best all look to your cattle, and step careful all the way home.”

The men looked from one to another. The rope slipped off Alvin’s hands and fell onto the ground. Peaseman picked it up; the knot had already loosened visibly.

“I give you my word not to flee,” said Alvin. “How would I get away from so many men even if I had a mind to? Running would do me no good.”

“Then why did your companions flee?” demanded Purity.

Alvin looked at the men with consternation. “I got no one with me, I hope you can all see that.”

Purity grew angry. “You had them, four of them, three men and a half-Black boy who you saved from slavery by changing his nature, and another one a French painter who’s a papist pretending to be mute, and a riverman who tried to kill you and you used your powers to take a tattooed hex right off his skin, and the last was an English barrister.”

“Excuse me, miss, but don’t that sound more like a dream than an actual group of folks what might be traveling together? How often do you see barristers from England with country boys like me?”

“You killed a man with your knack! Don’t deny it!” cried Purity, furious, near tears at his obvious lies.

Alvin looked stricken. “Is it murder I’m charged with now?” He looked at the men again, showing fear now. “Who am I supposed to have killed? I hope I’ll have a fair trial, and you have some witnesses if I’m to stand for murder.”