Warren sheaf., 1901-08-22


"Mercy!" shrieked the poor
wretch, quivering with pain.
"Will you answer?"
"I don't know"
''Then We must try again."
. mo, no; 0 God, no morew
| tBut you must answer"
Il don't know" -.
''Then you must have forgotten
and such treacherous memories need
starting up
As Vladimir thus spoke he waved
his hand again.
20 God, have mercy! Oh-o-o!
Save me! Save mel"
"Save yourself"
The wretch was in torment now
without ceasing. Nearly the whole
Of his weight bore upon his wrists
and thumbs, and the latter were
drawn over almost to the wrist. But
re would not answer. He had q
deeper fear than this. He feared to
break the horrid oaths by which he
was bound to the scheming priest.
One more pull upon the chain,
and the mans feet were clear of the
floor. His whole weight now bore
upon his thumbs, and he groaned in
the agony Of torture. He bore it a
few moments, but his coward soul
could bear no more.
20 God! Down, down! Let me
DOWN. .-
tBut answer. Where is Ruric Ne
vel?"
"I-I-don't'-
tsHold, thou false hearted vii
LAMP shouted Vladimir in voice
Of thunder. ''This is the last of this
torture, but when we take you from
here we can put you into a state
compared with which the pain you
now experience is real Joy. Each
particular limb shall be wrenched
all out Of shape, and your very eyes
shall start out like 49,.
"Down, down! 0 great God,
down." 0.".
"Where is Ruric Nevel?"
'I'n tell you! I'll tell you if you
spare mel"
| 'Tel me frst!" ~.
There was a moment more of hes
! itation, one single moment, and
then the miserable wretch gave up.
'<He's in the bathhouse." .
cha! Where?" -. ..S
f1n the old bathhouse near the
river on the lula pass in one of the
vaults!'
every well. Let him down."
The chain was Stacked up, and
Frederic Viska was once more upon
his feet. He trembled yet, for there
was pain in his arms.
'|Now carry him out" ordered
Vladimir, *tand bring the other one
in"
In a few moments more Lesko
Totma was before the strange tri-
bunal. He trembled fearfully, for
he had been where he could hear his
companions groans without hearing
what he said. ~ -
<*Lesko Totma," spoke the monk
in a low, deep tone, eve have given
you time for thought, and mayhap
you have your memory frightened
by this time. Now, where is Ruric
Nevel?" .....
| II don't know" T..
"Ah, you still forget, eh ?"
81 never knew" ,,@
"a most strange forgetfulness, I
must confess. Let the Interpreters
be adjustedP' .
"Oh, mercy! Don't murder mew
But no notice was taken Of his
cries. The straps and conical cups
were adjusted and the chain drawn
tight. At the first turn Of the self
acting screw the fellow shrieked. It
was not SO much with the present
pain as with the fear of what was to
come. The very presage Of the
place, so dark and dismal, had more
effect upon his mind than it had up
on his companion.
At second pull Of the chain he
groaned and begged for mercy. He
had heard Of this dark place, and be
fancied that men who came there
seldom went away alive.
tsHark ye, base wretch" the monk
said, .if you do not tell me where
the young gunmaker is I'll have you
torn limb from limb. Another pull,
therel"
AS the wrench came again the VII
lain fairly shouted with pain.
aOh, let me gol Let me gol I'll
tell all r
9 Then tell. You leave not this