n the sound of a bell was heard from the adjacent
vault. Alguazil and executioner listened for a moment, and then hurried
through a corridor, in the direction whence the summons proceeded. After a
couple of minutes, they returned, accompanied by the alcalde, and by a
person muffled in a blue cloak.[21] The two latter carried dark lanterns.

"Executioner, do your duty!" said the alcalde. "No. 3."

The executioner disappeared in the inferniello; the clank of chains was
heard, and he again emerged from the den, bringing with him the
unfortunate prisoner.

"_Por el amor de Dios!_" implored the latter. "Cosmo will do any thing,
confess every thing"--

"He raves," interrupted the alcalde.

"Jesus Maria," groaned Cosmo again. "We begged, we entreated him not to
fire at Major Ulloa. Never in my life will I again take a trabuco in my
hand."

"That voice!"----exclaimed the cloaked figure--

"Is altered," hastily interposed the alcalde. "The poor fellow has lost
voice, reason, and courage. But it is always so."

"There," muttered the hangman; "these bracelets might have been made for
your Excellency; they just fit on over the fur cuffs." And so saying, he
pushed the prisoner against the wall, and placed both his arms in rings.

"_Santissima Madre, ora pro nobis!_" prayed poor Cosmo between his teeth,
which chattered as he spoke. Then suddenly he raised his voice, and broke
out into the beautiful hymn, "Madre dolorosa, dulcissima y hermosa," which
he sang, in this his moment of extreme anguish, with such expression and
melody, that even the executioner suspended his proceedings, and listened
for a moment, visibly moved. A sign from the alguazil recalled him to his
duty.

"A little farther back, Senoria. The legs asunder, on either side of this
stone. We want you to sit comfortably."

"It is cold, bitter cold!" whined the poor fellow. "Oh, my poor mother!"

"The head higher," resumed the hangman, "or the springs might catch your
skull. So--that is right. Don't be afraid. We are not going to hurt you."

The prisoner now stood with his legs straddled out, a large stone, that
projected from the wall, between them, his neck in a huge iron collar, his
arms spread out and hanging in the rings.

"Remain standing, Senoria, till we have fastened your cravat. Don't
tremble. We are doing nothing to you. In two minutes you will be as you
should be."

While uttering these words of consolation, the executioner had fastened a
thi