agerly, but they were all strangers
who only regarded me as a prisoner in a far worse plight than
themselves.

"Courage, monsieur," whispered the gaoler, as the soldiers turned back
from my cell, "we all have our misfortunes."

He spoke in a kindly manner and I looked at him gratefully, for a
prisoner has but few friends. Then the door clanged, the bolts were
pushed home, and I was left alone to reflect on the councillor's last
words. I had heard too much not to understand what he meant by finding
a way to loose my tongue, and I instantly began to conjure up all kinds
of horrible pictures. However, it was useless going to meet trouble,
so I endeavoured to banish the subject from my mind, and to think of my
friends, Raoul, Marie, and the Englishman, who were doubtless wondering
what had become of me.

CHAPTER XVII.

Free!

On the third night after my visit to the Council Chamber I was awakened
from a sound sleep by some one shaking my arm. Looking up and rubbing
my eyes, I beheld the gaoler with a lantern in his hand bending over me.

"Rise, monsieur, and dress quickly," said he.

"Who wants me at this time of night?" I asked.

"I do not know, monsieur. I have my orders, and the soldiers are
waiting at the foot of the stairs. But courage, monsieur!"

The tone in which the man spoke made me shiver. It was plain that he
expected the worst, and I immediately remembered the councillor's
threats. My heart beat quickly at the thought of the dreaded torture
chamber, and my fingers trembled as I fastened my clothes.

"Am I to be put on the rack?" I asked, but the gaoler, shaking his held
slowly, replied that he knew nothing.

"An officer of police brought an order signed by the Governor, but he
would answer no questions. If it should be so, confess everything,
monsieur. You are very young, and the rack--ah!"

"Thanks, my friend, though I am sorry your advice will not help me. I
have already told the truth, and they would not believe it."

"Say what they wish, monsieur! Anything to escape the torture! I have
been in the chamber once, and it was horrible for a strong man even to
look on. And they are sure to get what they want in the end."

"At all events I will bear up as long as I can!"

"It is useless, monsieur, useless, I assure you," said he, as I
finished dressing.

We left the room, and, descending the stairway, found the soldiers
drawn up at the bottom.

"Albert de Lalande!" exclai