To-morrow he would torture me, not so much to ascertain whether I had spoken truly, but because to his diseased mind it afforded diversion to witness a man's anguish.

No doubt it was that had urged him now to spare my life and accord me this merciless piece of mercy.
In a loud voice he called the sentry who was pacing below; and in a moment the man appeared in answer to that summons.
"You will take this knave to the chamber set apart for him up there, and you will leave him secure under lock and bar, bringing me the key of his door." The fellow informed himself which was the chamber, then turning to me he curtly bade me go with him.

Thus was I haled back to my room, with the promise of horrors on the morrow, but with the night before me in which to scheme and pray for some miracle that might yet save me.

But the days of miracles were long past.

I lay on my bed and deplored with many a sigh that bitter fact.