y back against the wall,
and my hands together under my coat, awaiting my visitor.

The time wore slowly on; the dusk became dimmer and dimmer, until it
nearly bordered on total darkness.

'How's this?' said I, inwardly; 'Captain Oliver, you said I should
not see the moon rise to-night. Methinks you are somewhat tardy in
fulfilling your prophecy.'

As I made this reflection, a noise at the outer door announced the
entrance of a visitant. I knew that the decisive moment was come, and
letting my head sink upon my breast, and assuring myself that my
hands were concealed, I waited, in the attitude of deep dejection, the
approach of my foe and betrayer.

As I had expected, Captain Oliver entered the room where I lay. He was
equipped for instant duty, as far as the imperfect twilight would allow
me to see; the long sword clanked upon the floor as he made his way
through the lobbies which led to my place of confinement; his ample
military cloak hung upon his arm; his cocked hat was upon his head, and
in all points he was prepared for the road.

This tallied exactly with what my strange informant had told me.

I felt my heart swell and my breath come thick as the awful moment which
was to witness the death-struggle of one or other of us approached.

Captain Oliver stood within a yard or two of the place where I sat, or
rather lay; and folding his arms, he remained silent for a minute or
two, as if arranging in his mind how he should address me.

'Hardress Fitzgerald,' he began at length, 'are you awake? Stand up, if
you desire to hear of matters nearly touching your life or death. Get
up, I say.'

I arose doggedly, and affecting the awkward movements of one whose hands
were bound,

'Well,' said I, 'what would you of me? Is it not enough that I am thus
imprisoned without a cause, and about, as I suspect, to suffer a most
unjust and violent sentence, but must I also be disturbed during the
few moments left me for reflection and repentance by the presence of my
persecutor? What do you want of me?'

'As to your punishment, sir,' said he, 'your own deserts have no doubt
suggested the likelihood of it to your mind; but I now am with you to
let you know that whatever mitigation of your sentence you may look for,
must be earned by your compliance with my orders. You must frankly and
fully explain the contents of the packet which you endeavoured this day
to destroy; and further, you must tell all that you know of the design