r nervousness. Bolla's name
rang in his ears night and day, interfering even with his devotions, and
forcing its way in among the beads of the rosary instead of the name of
Mary. But the worst thing of all was that his religion, like the outer
world, seemed to be slipping away from him as the days went by. To this
last foothold he clung with feverish tenacity, spending several hours
of each day in prayer and meditation; but his thoughts wandered more and
more often to Bolla, and the prayers were growing terribly mechanical.

His greatest comfort was the head warder of the prison. This was a
little old man, fat and bald, who at first had tried his hardest to wear
a severe expression. Gradually the good nature which peeped out of every
dimple in his chubby face conquered his official scruples, and he began
carrying messages for the prisoners from cell to cell.

One afternoon in the middle of May this warder came into the cell with a
face so scowling and gloomy that Arthur looked at him in astonishment.

"Why, Enrico!" he exclaimed; "what on earth is wrong with you to-day?"

"Nothing," said Enrico snappishly; and, going up to the pallet, he began
pulling off the rug, which was Arthur's property.

"What do you want with my things? Am I to be moved into another cell?"

"No; you're to be let out."

"Let out? What--to-day? For altogether? Enrico!"

In his excitement Arthur had caught hold of the old man's arm. It was
angrily wrenched away.

"Enrico! What has come to you? Why don't you answer? Are we all going to
be let out?"

A contemptuous grunt was the only reply.

"Look here!" Arthur again took hold of the warder's arm, laughing.
"It is no use for you to be cross to me, because I'm not going to get
offended. I want to know about the others."

"Which others?" growled Enrico, suddenly laying down the shirt he was
folding. "Not Bolla, I suppose?"

"Bolla and all the rest, of course. Enrico, what is the matter with
you?"

"Well, he's not likely to be let out in a hurry, poor lad, when a
comrade has betrayed him. Ugh!" Enrico took up the shirt again in
disgust.

"Betrayed him? A comrade? Oh, how dreadful!" Arthur's eyes dilated with
horror. Enrico turned quickly round.

"Why, wasn't it you?"

"I? Are you off your head, man? I?"

"Well, they told him so yesterday at interrogation, anyhow. I'm very
glad if it wasn't you, for I always thought you were rather a decent
young fellow. This way!" Enrico stepped ou