ed the broken link of the chain, which he hid in his
mattress. With a piece of his hair-band he fastened the chain to his
feet, hung the second chain to the ring upon his waist, and now it only
remained to place his hands in the manacles fastened to the iron bar. He
had filed the handcuff from his left hand and that was easy to resume,
but it was impossible to force his right hand through the ring; he had
succeeded in removing it by a mighty effort the evening before, but
it was consequently greatly swollen. He took again his little piece of
stone and tried to file it apart, but every effort was in vain. Nearer
and nearer came the hour of visitation, and if his right hand were free
when the jailer came, all would be discovered. It seemed to him as if he
heard already the bolt of the first door. With a last, frightful effort,
he forced his hand in the manacle; his fingers cracked as if the bones
were broken; it was scarcely possible for him to suppress a shriek
of anguish. But the danger was even at the door, and the blessing of
freedom was not too dearly bought even by this anguish; he bore it with
heroic fortitude, and though his whole figure trembled with pain, he
conquered himself. He leaned back breathlessly and almost unconsciously
against the wall; and now the bolt really moved, and the jailer,
followed by two officers, entered.

The visitation began. In this small cell, which held nothing but a
mattress, a seat built in the wall, and a small table, there was but
little to examine. A fleeting glance at Trenck's chains, which were
rattling around him, and the search was over, and the jailer and
officers left the prison. Trenck listened in breathless silence till
he heard the bolt of the fifth door rattling, and now life and movement
were in his form and features. It was time to work. But alas! it was
impossible. The swollen, blood-red, throbbing hand could not possibly be
withdrawn from the handcuff. He must control himself--must wait and
be patient. He resolved to do this with a brave heart, in the full
conviction that he would attain his liberty.

At last, after three days, the swelling disappeared, and he found he
could withdraw his hand without difficulty. The visit was no sooner
over, than his chains fell off. For the last time! God grant that for
the last time he had heard them clank!

A herculean work was before him, but Freedom was without and awaiting
him, and he panted to embrace her. Seizing his little