nary treatment, but I presume you are acting under orders. I
have a request to make. I am very hungry, and shall feel grateful if
you will bring me some food; and, as I scarcely know otherwise how to
pass the period of my incarceration, I shall be still further obliged if
you will supply me with a violin, should you have such an instrument in
the castle."

"Ho, ho, ho!" laughed the steward. "Then you are a strolling musician,
as we have heard it reported. Well, we happen to have a violin, for I
play it myself, and you shall be supplied with food, as I conclude
Mynheer Bunckum would not wish to starve you to death."

"Thank you, my good friend, I am much obliged to you for your promise;
at the same time, I beg leave to remark that I am not a strolling
musician, but am as I represent myself, Count Funnibos."

"That is neither here nor there," said the steward, "you shall have the
food and you shall have the violin; now please go down those steps, and
make yourself as much at home as you like."

Finding resistance useless, the Count descended the steps into a large
vaulted chamber, which appeared from the contents on which the light
fell through the open door, to be used as a lumber-room or store-room
rather than as a prison.

"Is this a fit place in which to thrust a gentleman?" said the Count,
feeling his dignity considerably hurt. "Had it been a dungeon, with
chains and bolts and bars, it would have been only such as many an
unfortunate nobleman has been compelled to inhabit. But to be treated
as if I were a piece of lumber is unbearable."

"We have no such refined opinions in this country, Mynheer," said the
steward, with a grin on his countenance. "But make yourself happy,
there is a chest for you to sit on and another on which your supper
shall be placed. As to your bed and bedding we will see about that
by-and-by, and the violin you ask for shall be brought forthwith.
Perhaps in return you will favour me with a tune, as I am a lover of
music, and shall be pleased to hear you play."

The Count, who, though not very wise in all matters, made the best of
everything, sat himself down on the chest with folded arms to consider
how, under the disagreeable circumstances in which he was placed, it
would be best to act. "One thing is very clear, that Mynheer Bunckum
has got the upper hand of me. The best thing I can do as soon as I
obtain my liberty is to take my departure. The fair Isabelle may or may
not