, 1864-01-30

nounced the appearance Of the governor.
He came into the courtyard, followed by a
captain and afile Of soldiers. r3Ie
| Don Basilio, Governor Of Cabezas, was o
short, stout man, somewhat inclined to obc-
sity, with coarse features-marked by a
look of malignity-reddish hair, and a full
bsard Of the same color, giving him cum
ming, foxy" appearance.
He made change in the sentinels, plac-
ing new ones, and then turned to Pacheco,
saying:
Where are my dispatches ?"
Pacheco handed him the tin box, and
Don Basilio examined its contents. One
letter did not seem to please him. Let us
look over his shoulder as he reads it. This
is what it contained:
~ inform you that the viceroy is ac-
quainted that the prison you command con-
tains several victims Of arbitrary power.
He sets out tomorrow to examine your con-
duct personally. Take your precautions
and endeavor, if possible, to eyade his re-
searches" fb1I ras .s Mad .,. Am
$50" unused Don Basilio, crumpling the
letter in his hand, I" he may know that ]
now hold in fetters that very San Lazar
whom he thinks dead, and on whom have
such just cause for vengeance l shall find
means once more to deceive him." He re-
terred again to the letter. "He arrives to-
day-there is no time to be lost" ..t
Don Basilio stationed a sentinel upon that
part Of the battlements which overlooked
the Seville road, with orders to sound o
trumpet at the first sight of the viceroy's
carriage, which he could easily distinguish
by the escort and then bade Pacheco follow
him to his private apartment a
After being closeted an hour with the
governor, Pacheco rejoined Fidelio in the
courtyard. ',s . 'r,'G agas boo a
"Good news, Fidcliop he exclaimed.
"The governor has granted you permission
to visit with me the secret dungeons this
day." .s-1E . i,.,ila
To-day :" echoed Fidelio, with Joy.
eyes; and we shall begin by visiting
this unknown Of whom we spoke. He
must in one hour-die !"
"Die"
"Die! And no vestige Of his existence
must remain. l at first shuddered, like
You; but Don Basilio informed me the in
terest Of the state depends upon it. And /
have promised"
"To assassinate this unhappy man 2"
No, not so. We have agreed upon this
PLAN" .F lsn ,.ai 1a4 Fs
Let me hear t." aaifl
&" It is near three o'clock; the prisoners of
the little pavilion are going TO take the air.
We will avail ourselves Of that moment TO
descend, unperceived, into the dungeon in
which that man is confined; there, without
exchanging word with him, or answering
a question, we shall begin to clear the rub
bish from the mouth Of deep cistern which
is near him. When our work is completed,
lam to give the signal which the governor
has ordered. We will then open the door
TO a masked person, who will .perform the
rest. evil Afterwards ascend and divide
this purse, which the governor has given me.
II contains one hundred pieces Of gOld-6fty
for each; but it is on condition that not a
word shall escape you, that the governor
has permitted you TO attend me"
Though the boy seemed much agitated,
he consented to assist the jailor in the vile
scheme against the prisoner; and when Pa
checo, seeing his dependency, attempted to
cheer him, he replied: a
We dare not dispute the orders Of the
governor, even if their import is criminal"
II was a subterranean dungeon to which
the jailor and his turnkey descended-dark,
Shiny, noisome. The torch which the jailor
held in his hand family Illuminated this
scene -sombre as tomb. The stone stair
case, crumbling and decaycd by the damp
Of ages, was broken in many places, and
afforded an insecure footing. s,...la
In the centre Of the dungeon was q well,
choked up by its own curb and detached
portions Of the wall. Near this well, ex-
tended at full length upon the floor, with On
iron chain, massive and heavy, fastened to
his waist at one eend, and the other attached
TO huge iron ring in the floor, lay what
appeared to be q man.
The traces Of humanity were almost oblit-
Grated in this victim Of oppression. His
garments were o mass Of filthy rags. His
hair and beard had grown to an inordinate
length. His attenuated fingers, with their
long nails, looked like the talons Of bird.
He was emaciated 10 the last degree Ly-
ing, as he did, upon his back, he presented
more the appearance Of corpse than .
living man.
"How cold II isp said Fidclio, shivering,
as they reached the dungeon floor.
81 is not surprising answered Pacheco,
ssthis dungeon is so deep"
Fidelio had perceived the prisoner, and
fastening 10 him, knelt beside him and ca
gerly scanned his features. 'a al El
cit is he r he murmured; and convul-
siye sobs shook bis bosom, and the hot tears
coursed freely down his checks.
ssCome, come r. cried the jailor, impa-
tiently; you are too tender-hearted. We
have no time for pity. Assist me to re-
move these stones" e-T.l \, II,
q He is dead r. sobbed the boy. 7,- y,
aThat saves us q deal Of trouble re-
sponded Pacheco, advancing to the priso-
ners side. "You are mistaken, Fidelio
he is only asleep"
IA cry Of joy burst from the boys lips.
They commenced their work Of remov-
ing the rubbish from the well. The noise
aroused the captive from bis broken slum-
Der. He raised himself upon his hands
and gazed at them, recognising the jailer
care votf still insensible to the voice Of