The Portland daily press., 1892-03-12

echolng halls and corridors. Finally
the carriers stopped in what the artist
surmised must either be a room with
low ceiling or one which was thronged
with people, for the echoes ceased.
The doors Of the sedan were opened
snd Lucero stepped out. At the first
Elance he recognized the place. Al
though he had never been there before,
vet any child in Spain would have
own 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 a slightly elevated platform, sat
several sepulchral, mute figures attired
in heavy black, their faces covered with
a cloth of the same hue. At one side the
weak, trembling flicker of candle in
tensifed the gloom and horror of the
place. It was the chamber of the in
QUESTION.
But one visage upon the estrada was
uncovered. It 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 myrrnidons.
The lnyrmidons walked to the center of
the hall and removed cloth beneath
which a ball shaped object appeared to
move 1t was the head that Fapresto
was commissioned to depict. 1t was not
lifeless head severed from the body.
On the contrary, it was very animated,
a heroic head, from which pair of
angry, fiery eyes seemed to dart flames.
The brow expressed a 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 a timorous ma
ture, but he could not suppress a shud-
der This Torquemadian torture con-,
sisted of a large metal cask filed with
oil, placed under the floor directly be-
meath an aperture. The delinquent was
forced into the caslz, 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. 1t depicted a face, the eyes Of
which Shot forth contempt, hate and
uncomprornising disdain. Fapresto's
neighbor glanced over the artists Shout
ders and nodded approvingly.
The grand inquisitor breaks the ST.
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. 81 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 I 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
a signal to the two myrmidons. They
hurried away.
Soon D'Avila's expression changed.
The fire had been ignited.
"Now, then, Fapresto!"
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 dis6gured that manly countenance.
It was an interesting second study.
'Win you answer my question now,
Don Jayne d Avila?' resounded through
out the hall in the hollow, querulous
voice Of the grand inquisitor.
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