The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1902-02-07
(cHAPrse XIV coNTrNuED.)

the room, where they unlocked a
stout chat from the wall, and as
they allowed it to slide through
their hands a curious piece of ma
chinery descended directly in front
of the table. 1t consisted of stout
bar of iron which was suspended
midway upon the chain and there
rested parallel with the ceiling. Up
on each end Of this bar were straps
of iron armed with springs and
screws. At motion from the
monk the prisoner was led back till
he stood directly beneath the bar,
and then his arms were seized and
raised up. He struggled some and
ecursed more. but he was soon over
come. The iron bands were passed
around his wrists, and connected
with these were two small cups
which were slipped over the thumbs.
After these had been firmly secured
the chain was frightened, and the fell
lows hands were raised far above
his head. There were two results
produced by tightening the chain.
1t not only tended to draw the
thumbs back upon the wrists, but it
also twisted the thumb, the two cups
being armed with filelike teeth with
in and closing tightly upon the flesh.
"Now, sir" spoke Vladimir lowly
and deeply, 81 am going to ask
these questions again, and you will
do well to answer them truly. Will
you tell me where Ruric Newell is ?"
81 don't know"
"Will you tell me where you saw
him last ?"
81 haven't seen him since he
fought the duel with Damonoff."
"Bewarer'
81 have not"
'Mark me. | have had you watch i
ed, and | know that you have seen
Nevel within these three days. This
/ know, so have no hesitation in
the course AIN about to pursue.
Once more. where is Ruric Nevel?"
The man hestated now, but his
answer was still the same. He
would not tell.
Vladimir made motion to the
two men who stood by the wall, and
they gave pull upon the chain.
80 God" gasped the prisoner
as the painful twist and wrench
came upon his thumbs.
"Will you answer"
"How can l.? How can ~"
''By speaking what you know"
81 know nothing"
Another signal was made to the
men at the chain, and they pulled !
again; another groan from the pris-
oner, but no other response.
Another signal and another pull.
Mercy shrieked the poor
wretch, quivering with pain. |
"Will you answer?"
81 don't know"
'"Then we must try again"
4NO, ho " SOd, lO tAOlCs
"But you must answer"
81 don't know" :
"Then you must have forgotten,
nd such treacherous memories need h
tarting up"
As Vladimir thus spoke he waved t
lis hand again.
go God, have mercy! Oh-o-o! +
ave me! Save me-"
"Save yourself"
The wretch was in torment now !
7ithout ceasing. Nearly the whole t
f his weight bore upon his wrists
nd thumbs, and the latter were Q
rawn over almost to the wrist. But
e would not answer. He had a u
eeper fear than this. He feared to !.
reak the horrid oaths by which he :
as bound to the scheming priest.
One more pull upon the chain,
nd the mans feet were clear of the II
DOR. His whole weight now bore =,
pom his thumbs, and he groaned in
Ae agony of torture. He bore it a ST
wv moments, but his coward soul ri
ould bear no more.
go God! Down, down! Let me 81
own" b,
"But answer. Where is Ruric Ne
,l?"
"I-I-don't"- b
"Hold, thou false hearted vii ST
inw shouted Vladimir in a voice :,
thunder. This is the last of this VI
'rture, but when we take you from s
ere we can put you into state bt
with which the pain you =
ow experience is real joy. Each g
,rticular limb shall be wrenched CC
| out of shape, and your very eyes 5
lall start out like L
"Down. down. 0 great God,
,wn" liz
IIM