to deceive. "Make no noise," he added, "and I will not hurt thee, but
to-night the words of thy prophecy must be fulfilled; so give me thy
key."

The man thus treated made no resistance, nor attempted to cry out, nor
did he seem desirous to speak.

"What art in amaze about?" said the soldier. "Hast lost thy wits with
fright? I tell thee I would not hurt thee, for all thy iron feathers."

"I am pondering," answered Bars, composedly, "whether it were better
to allow thee to reap the fruit of thy folly, or to give thee good
counsel."

"Speak quick, man," said Joy, "I have no time to spend in long talks
like sermons."

"Be not profane, Philip; but there is that in the pocket of my
doublet, and which, if my arms were loose, I would give thee, might
make thee willing to abide till morning."

"A dagger, perhaps. Nay, I will search before I trust thee." So
saying, the soldier proceeded to investigate the other's pockets, but
he found nothing in them or about his person except his keys and a
strip of paper.

"I see nothing," he said, "but thine arms and a worthless bit of
paper."

"And that is an order for thy release on the morrow. Read and satisfy
thyself."

Philip retreated a few steps, and still keeping his attention on the
jailer, read the writing with some difficulty by the aid of the dim
light.

"Why told you me not this before?" he demanded.

"Because it would have broke your sleep, and for another reason. And
now, Philip, will you ruin yourself and me, or will you remain?"

"Good Sam," said Philip, extending his hand and raising the other up,
"let thou and I be sworn friends. There is some mystery behind this
matter which it behooves us both to have cleared up. Answer me a
question. Did Master Spikeman know of that paper?"

"Surely he did. He inquired of me concerning it."

"Umph!" grunted Philip. "Now tell again, what is that other reason why
thou didst say nothing of the paper to me before?"

"Answer for answer; tickle me and I will scratch thee. I will answer
that question if you will me another."

"There is reason in thee. I promise."

"Because Master Spikeman commanded me not."

"And canst tell why he wanted to speak to me alone?"

"To get to the bottom of sundry plots wherewith you were acquainted,
and which you had partly confessed. And now it is my turn to ask
questions, so tell me how gattest thou rid of the irons?"

"Master Spikeman unfastened them."

"I might have guessed as much