bs
with a handsome screw in a moment."

Poor mayor! Martyrdom was not his vocation, and he owned it.

"Nay, it can do no harm. We came to witness the last confession of
a dying woman, who had some crime on her soul, which she wished to
depose before fitting witnesses."

"Of what nature?"

"I was not told. I waited to learn."

"Why didst thou hesitate to say this just now?"

Poor mayor! He stammered out that he hoped he hadn't offended
therein.

"The fact is that you knew the men, your companions, came as my
enemies, and suspected that the lies that witch, whom Satan is just
now basting, meant to tell, affected me! Don't lie, or I will
thrust the lie down thy throat, together with a few spare teeth; my
gauntlet is heavy."

"It was so," said the terrified citizen of Hamelsham.

"Ha! ha! Well, it matters little to me what thou mayest say, or
what thy silly townsfolk think of me: the gudgeons probably talk
much evil of the perch, but I never heard that it hurts him much,
or spoils his digestion of those savoury little fish. But thou must
pay for it: I fix thy ransom at one hundred marks."

"Good heavens! I have not as many pence!"

"Swear not, most fat and comely burgher. The money must be raised,
or I will send the good citizens of Hamelsham their mayor bit by
bit, an ear to begin with. A man waits without, give him thy
instructions to thy people. Farewell!"

And the young bully strolled into the next cell, which was
Martin's, a keeper opening the door and shutting it upon him until
the signal was given to reopen it; for Drogo did not wish the
coming conversation to be overheard.

"So I have got thee at last?"

"Thou hast my body."

"It is a comfort that it is a body which can be made to pine, to
feel, to suffer."

"I am in God's hands, not thine."

"I advise thee not to look for help to so distant a quarter.
Martin! I have always hated thee, both at Kenilworth and Walderne.
Revenge is a morsel fit for the gods."

"What hast thou to revenge?"

"Didst thou not plot to oust me of mine inheritance, the night
before the doting old woman died up above? It cost her her life."

"For which thou must answer to God."

"Nay, thine hand, not mine, administered it. Ha! ha! ha!"

"And what dost thou seek of me now?"

"Nothing, save the joy of removing an enemy out of my path."

"I am no man's enemy."

"Yes, thou art mine, and always hast been. Didst thou not plot
against me with that old hag, Mother M