oner felt instinctively that a momentous crisis was
at hand.

"Well, Mr Frobisher," presently exclaimed the Governor, speaking in his
perfect English, "have you seen fit to change your mind since I last had
the pleasure of seeing you? You will of course be aware by this time
that you cannot hope for help from your friends outside--they have been
very effectually wiped out, to the last man--and I really think you
would be well advised to fall in with my suggestions."

"Sir," returned Frobisher, "I have already stated my final decision; and
no amount of argument you can bring to bear will make me alter my
resolution. You may do whatever you please, since you have the power,
but I assure you that you will draw no information out of me."

"Very well," retorted the Chinaman; "you have spoken, and we shall soon
see to what lengths your determination will carry you. I have known
many men who, at the outset, seemed to be quite as resolute as yourself;
but it has invariably happened that, after receiving the attentions of
these assistants of mine,"--here he indicated the masked men in the
background--"they have come to their senses with marvellous swiftness.
As I really need the information I have asked you for in all courtesy, I
have no option but to obtain it by the only other means available,
therefore--"

He uttered a few rapid sentences in Chinese, indicating certain machines
and instruments by pointing at them. Frobisher shrewdly guessed, from
the man's actions, that he was instructing his assistants to apply some
form of torture to the prisoner; and the young Englishman braced himself
for the struggle which now seemed inevitable. The chamber was but dimly
illumined by a single lantern, which his unwelcome visitors had brought
with them, and by the flickering light of the dying flames from outside;
and of this uncertain light he sought to take advantage, hoping that he
might succeed in securing possession of a weapon of some sort before his
enemies could divine his intentions.

Availing himself of the fact that the attention of the two assistants
was momentarily diverted from himself to the Governor while the latter
issued his instructions, Frobisher cautiously edged his way toward the
spot where lay the sword which he had already fixed upon as a
particularly suitable weapon, should he need one for purposes of
self-defence; but just as he was in the very act of reaching for the
weapon, the Governor happened to gl