Los Angeles herald., 1892-04-06

though he had never been there before,
yet any child in Spain would have
known it, for mothers and nurses had
often recited to the little ones under
their care terrible tales of this awful
chamber.
The ceiling, walls, arches and pillars
were covered with black cloth. Depend
ing from the huge pillars were massive
rings and chains bearing the peculiar
rust that accrues from dried blood. In
the corner lay iron tongs, scissors,
queerly shaped spoons, hammers, screws
and other strange objects. In the rear,
upon slightly elevated platform, sat
several sepulchral, mute figures attired
in heavy black, their faces covered with
cloth of the same hue. At one side the
weak, trembling flicker of candle in
tensified the gloom and horror Of the
place. 1t was the chamber of the in
QUESTION.
But one visage upon the estrade was
uncovered. 1t was that of the grand in
quisitor. He was seated upon high
chair amid the judges and was attired
in black, pearl studded, satin gown,
which was strikingly conspicuous among
the plain garments Of the Others
At the other side of the court were a
table and three stools. one of which was
reserved for the artist, the others being
occupied by two men who were as
thickly yelled as the judges. One of
them had quill in his hand. He was
the recorder. The other, who requested
Lucero with naughty gesture to be
seated, suggested the king. Not word
was spoken. Action alone seemed to
suffice.
After the artist had arranged his ma
terial the parsonage at his side gave an
authoritative sign to the grand inquisi-
tor, who repeated it to two myrmidons.
The myrmidons walked to the center Of
the hall and removed cloth beneath
which ball shaped object appeared to
move. 1t was the head that Fapresto
was commissioned to depict. 1t was not
q lifeless head severed from the body
On the contrary, it was very animated,
a heroic head, from which a pair of
angry, fiery eyes seemed to dart flames.
The brow expressed noble courage,
and the lips evinced the utmost con-
tempt. It was head of the kind that
warriors revere and women adore.
Fapresto comprehended the situation
at once. He must sketch the agonizing
changes that the Caldaria would make
upon the face.
The artist was not of timorous ma
ture, but he could not suppress shud-
der. This Torquemadian torture con.
sisted of large metal cask filled with
oil, placed under the floor directly be-
meath an aperture. The delinquent was
forced into the cask, the hiatus giving
to the spectators full view of the head.
Under the cask slow fire would be ig-
nited and intensified according to the
obstinacy of the prisoner.
Lucero's crayon flew over the parch-
ment. It depicted face, the eyes of
which shot forth contempt, hate and
uncompromising disdain. Faprestos
neighbor glanced over the artists shoul-
ders and nodded approvingly.
The grand inquisitor breaks the 81
lence; turning toward the accused he
says: "Don Jayne d'Avila, confess to
your judges. When did you first speak
to Juana, the daughter of Fernando of
Aragonia?"
The lips opened. "1 have seen her
only from afar and have never spoken
to her."
"Don Jayne d'Avila, do not attempt
to deceive your judges. You have been
detected in dishonorable relations with
Juana. Confess. What proof of her
illicit love has she given your
At these words the heroic face flushed
with anger; the eyes shot forth lightning
glances. The knight was surprisingly
handsome at this moment.
"Your question calumniates the one
to whom you and every Spaniard owes
reverence and duty. Were 1 to coun-
tenance your question should feel self
contempt. The queen is as pure and in
nocent as an angel from heaven"
Lucero was about to sketch this indig-
nant visage when his hand was staid
by the parsonage beside him. "Never
mind that; you will have prettier ex-
preston presently"
He nodded to the inquisitor, who gave
signal to the two myrmidons. They
hurried away.
Soon D'Avila's expression changed.
The fire had been ignited.
"Now, then, Faprestov
At first the eyes glowed and the veins
upon the brow began to swell. A pre-
sentiment of his fate was mirrored in
the knights face. Despair and the
frightful cognizance Of utter helpless
ness disfgured that manly countenance.
It was an interesting second study.
"Will you answer my question now,
Don Jayne d d'Avila?' resounded through
out the hall in the hollow, querulous
voice of the grand inquisitor.
"May my tongue be paralyzed forever
if it respond even In single syllable to
your infamous question"
At these words the head turned to-
ward the judges again in full possession
Of the heroic determination that had
faltered for moment. The lips were
tightly compressed as though to keep
back an exclamation of pain, and the
eyes expressed derision rather than sub
mission. Lucero grasped his crayon for
q third study.
The fire was stirred and famed. From
the white brow large drops of perspira-
ton flowed down the face, upon which
the intense struggle between an iron
will and unspeakable pain was visible.
Suddenly the cramped lips opened and
groans were heard that must have
elected pity from hearts less hard than