Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-18

horror In the other cell was gray-bearded
man fettered to the wall, looking blankly
before him. a body without a soul, yet with
life still in him, for his dull eyes turned
slowly in their direction. But it was from be-
hind the central door at the end of the passage
that the chorus of sad cries came which filled
! the air.
Simon" said Nigel, "before we 90 farther
we will take this outer door from its hinges
With it we will block this passage so that at
/ the worst we may hold our ground here until
! help comes. Go you back to the camp as fast
| as your feet bear you. The peasants will
draw you upwards through the hole. Give my
/ greetings to Sir Robert and tell him that the
castle is taken without fail if he comes this
way with fifty men. Say that we have made a
/ Judgment within the walls. And tell him also,
Simon, that | would counsel him to make a
stir before the gateway that the guard may
/ be held there whilst we make good our footing
behind them. Go, good Simon, and lose not a
/ momenti"
| But the man-at-arms shook his head. cit
| is | who have brought you here, fair sir, and
here | bide through fair and foul. But you
! speak wisely and well, for Sir Robert should
indeed be told what is going forward, now that
we have gone far. Harding do you go
with all speed and bear the gentle Nigels
message"
| Reluctantly the man-at-arms sped upon his
errand. They could hear the racing of his feet
and the low Jingle of his harness until they
died away in the tunnel. Then the three COM
panions approached the door at the end. 1t
was their intention to wait where they were
until help should come; but suddenly amid
the babel of cries within there broke forth an
English voice, shouting in torment.
MY God" it cried, Il pray you, comrades,
for cup of water, as you hope for Christ S
mercy!"
Shout of laughter and the thud of a heavy
blow followed the appeal.
All the hot blood rushed to Nigel's head at
the sound buzzing in his ears and throbbing
in his temples. There are times when the
fiery heart of a man must overbear the cold
brain of soldier With one bound he was at
the door, with another he was through it, the
men-at-arms at his heels. So strange was the
scene before them that for an instant all three
stood motionless with horror and surprise.
1t was a great vaulted chamber, brightly lit
by many torches. At the farther end roared
a great fire. In front of it three naked men
were chained to posts in such a way that finch
as they might they could never get beyond
the range of its scorching heat. Yet they were
so far from it that no actual burn would be in
ficted if they could but keep turning and
shifting so as continually to present some fresh
portion of their flesh to the flames Hence
! they danced and Whirled in front of the fire.
tossing ceaselessly this way and that within
the compass of their chains, wearied to death,
| their protruding tongues cracked and blackened
with thirst, but unable for one instant to rest
| from their writings and contortions.
Even stranger was the sight at each side of
the room, whence came that chorus of groans
which had first struck upon the ears of Nigel
and his companions. A line of great hogs
heads were placed alongside the walls, and
within each sat a man, his head protruding
from the top. AS they moved within there
was a constant spaShing and washing of water
| The white wan faces all turned together as the
door flew Open and cry of amazement and OF
! hope took the place of those long-drawn
means of despair.
At the same instant two fellows clad in
| black, who had been seated with a flagon OF
wine between them at a table near the fire
sprang wildly to their feet, staring with blank
amazement at this sudden thrush. That in
slant of delay deprived them of their last
chance of safety. Midway down the room
was flight of stone steps which led to the
main door.
Swift as wildcat Nigel bounded toward it
and gained the steps a stride or two before the
iailers They turned and made for the other
which led to the passage, but Simon and his
comrade were nearer to it than they. Two
sweeping blows two dagger thrusts into with
ing figures, and the ruffans who worked the
will of the Butcher lay dead upon the floor Of
their slaughter-house.
Oh, the buzz of Joy and of prayer from all
those white lips! Oh the light of returning
hope in all those sunken weary eyes One wild
shout would have gone up had not Nigel S
outstretched hands and warning voice hushed
them to silence.
He opened the door behind him. A curving
newell staircase wound upward into the dark
l.