light
of steps which they descended. Here they were confronted by a strong door
which one of the men opened. It admitted them to a dark, narrow passage
of considerable extent so far as could be discerned. After pursuing a
direct course for some time they came to an opening on the left, into
which they struck. This hall was so narrow that they were obliged to
walk singly. The roof was clustered with nitrous drops and the floor was
slippery with moisture.

Francis did not know what part of the Tower she was in but she had heard
that the whole substructure of the fortress was threaded with
subterranean passages which led to different parts of the edifice. This
particular one was contrived in the thickness of the ballium wall which
led from Beauchamp Tower to Develin Tower. On either side of the corridor
was a range of low, strong doors which gave entrance to dungeons, and
horrible thoughts of what the inmates of these noisome cells must endure
flashed across the girl's mind, rendering her faint and sick.

At the end of the passage was an open door leading to a small circular
chamber which the four entered and the door was closed. Francis gave one
quick glance around her and her senses reeled for the room was one of the
torture chambers of the Tower.

On the ground was a large brazier beside which lay an immense pair of
pincers. In one corner stood a great oaken frame about three feet high
moved by rollers. This was the rack. Upon the wall hung a broad hoop of
iron opening in the centre with a hinge--a dreadful instrument of torture
called the Scavenger's daughter. The walls and floor were covered with
gauntlets, saws and other implements of torture, but the rack caught and
held her eyes with terrible fascination.

Walsingham seated himself at a small table upon which were writing
materials, and turning to Francis said earnestly,

"Gaze about thee, boy, and reflect upon what thou seest. There is yet
time to tell all that thou knowest. Think well ere thou dost doom thy
tender limbs to the rack."

The perspiration started forth in great drops upon the girl's forehead.
Her trembling lips could scarcely frame her utterance as she answered:

"Do to me as ye list, Sir Francis. I will not speak further concerning my
father."

With an exclamation of impatience the secretary made a sign. From behind
a stone pillar there stepped forth a man at whose appearance Francis
could not forbear a scream. He was tall and very attenuat