The Washington times., 1915-09-07
The Torture Chamber.


She ranE the bell and summoned once
more the woman of the palace who thus
far had cared for her at the kings be-
''Marsot." said she. talk to me. I
have Travelled far and am weary: L am
distressed-nervous perhaps. Talk to
D.. I'VE are <all distressed. excellency."
said the woman. I'VE know not what
there may be yonder. Perhaps this mo-
mcnt the two Kingdoms may be at war.
But what can I do to make your e*-
She was willing enough to curry Ia
TEL ME, Mareot." demanded Kitty.
about this country try tsae,rv here; am am q
know very little Of this land and Of
IT, customs. Is it an old land. this of
dretzhoffen. MarEot''
More immemorially old. your excel
dreamed Of. The first kings of Gretz-
hoffen date back so FAR in history that
almost they merge into myths. The
oldest Kingdoms Of Europe arc not So
kirsdoms-sisters. they sometimes. call
them. though they get on Ill enough to-
days Of Europe
hack SO far as the middle eges?'
"Oh. easily. We dire very DID," smiled
those also were times Of war and
got. In those days they tortured pris-
oners. did they nut?'
Not only prisoners. excellency. but
many others. Il king wished news or
Of . crime--if 4 bishop desired confess
sion Of faith cron a heretic-the torture
chamber was the place to get such re-
su,ts TIE headsnan in those times had
quisites were large. He got 50 much
for 2 head. 80 much for limb. 80 much
to. this torture. or that"
b.rsss sgs not here Marsot-surely not
In this very castle. excellency! Once
TIE palace was a castle-the walls Of
The Notifications run up to us here.
RenEton in those times was a matter
to the torture chamber. and he came
stories Of the old days. My 1notf.er ahss has
fsla S mo what hers told to her. and hers
days these walls themselves saw once
yes. indeed 0'
..What!SIthis pleasant modern city
h:%s ~. such history as that"
Ihese very walls saw it, excellency,
nere-tore out eyes and tongues and
twisted thumbs and broke limbs and
oodes on the rack: Surely you have
heard Of the Iron Maiden. which took
T. nan hnr INTO DO her arms rms and held him close
out alive from that embrace! They said
was payment for some men for their
knowledGe OF other arms Of flesh and
olood. They had their ways Of killing
IN those times, excellency"
But that was long ago-those place,
s1nce." "ee'
.,"Destroyed' Indeed, not. Do not
the people Of this country always pre-
serve their monuments, their museums
Of Weapons. their chambers OF horrors
Do they not take a certain pride in
that? Monarchs even of today know
the secrets of the old torture Chambers
IN this land. and perhaps in many an
II. could not have believed 1t, And
30 there was such a place here, in this
Surely. can give warrant for
every word I have told you. excellency
The tradition is that the old torture
chamber Of Gretzhoffen was over yon.
der-under the corner tower OF the
palacs,where the embattlements ran
IN. There is a corridor which leads
yonder. down below. into the vaults ]
would not go there for ali the world
Few OF US know the way. ipdeed-l
have never been wise enough not to
ask too many questions. or to learn toe
many truths Besides. should die with
sS'iof u tHiHk OIL "ndt SplrltS muS1
haunt such a place"
But. excellency." she concluded
let us speak of more pleasant things .
Would you take me yonder. Mar.
got?" asked Kitty.
The woman crossed herself devoutly
Not on my life!' said she "Neve,
IN the world! II 1t be true that tn.
chambers are there. let others prov,
the truth. do not know"
1T was but fancy" said Kitty
turning to her couch and feigninf
weariness. Il will call you, Margot"
Yes. your excellency would bette,
sleep. will be ready II you need IN,
at any time. Now. II l may go, I vii
see what news can be learned Of ou
army at the front"
Kittle listened until her footballs hat
quite died AWAY: then swiftly she en-