The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-01-13

81 know him. the fellow replied
with slight touch of defiance in his
tone. He had not surely looked
about him to see those strange con-
trivances by which he was surround
ed, or he would not have ventured
such a tone.
'<And you have been some in his
company"
'Perhaps so.
every well. And, now, do you
not also know Ruric Nevel~
81 have seen him, too, sir"
"And now can you tell me where
he is at this present time"
No." was the answer, short and
quick.
Beware! If you have any re-
gard for your own welfare, you viii
answer me truly. Where is Ruric
Nevel %
"I tell you I know nothing about
hirn-nothing at all"
"And Of this you are sure %
"Who are you that assume to
question me thus? know you not. :"
Viska spoke this in a tone Of vir-
tuous indignation, probably think
ing that that turn might serve him.
eve will let you into the secret
by and by" the monk returned,
with peculiar shake of the head.
'But will ask you once more, do
| you know where Neyel is?
'Nop
SYou need not speak quite so
loud. We hear easily"
"Then don't ask me impertinent
questions, . retorted the prisoner.
Vladimir started half way up, and
his fists were clinched, but the quick
flush passed from his face, and he
sat back again.
fLook ye,' he said as soon as he
was sure his anger would not mani
fest itself, "were | not sure that you
know what ask I would not ques-
ton you thus. And now, once more
I ask you, will you give me some
clew to the whereabouts of Ruric
Nevel?"
f1'll answer you once more. I
know nothing about him. You must
not think that this dark place and
you men all dressed in black can
fright men into telling a lie as it
might child
At this point Vladimir turned to
one of his men, one of those who
helped bring the prisoners in, and
said:
You know this to be the man? ?"
eyes, my MASTER
ssAnd you have seen him in pri-
vate confab with the humpbacked
priest %
81 have
@And the other things you told
me are true? ?"
t'They are, master"
''Then let down those interpret
ers.'
At this command two CT the at
tendants moved to the back side Of
the room, where they unlocked
stout chain 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 a motion from the
monk the prisoner was led back till
he stood directly beneath the bar,
and then his arms we're seized and
raised up. He struggled some and
cursed more, Out ne was soon over
come. The iron bands we're passed
around his wrists, and connected
with these were two small cups
which we're slipped over the thumbs:
After these had been firmly secured
the chain was frightened, and the fel-
lows hands were raised far abo'
his head. There were two results
produced by tightening the chain.
It 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, 'I am going to ask
these questions again, and you will
do we'll to answer them truly. Will
you tell ME where Ruric Newell is ?"
81 don't know
"Will YOU tell me where you saw
hin, l.,et 20