ied Melchior.

"Do not damn her; damn yourself for your villany, and its being brought
to light. Have I said enough, or shall I tell you more?"

"Pray tell me more."

"No, I will not, for I must commit others, and that will not do,"
replied I; for I felt I had already said too much.

"You have committed yourself, at all events," replied Melchior; "and now
I tell you, that until--never mind," and Melchior hastened away.

The door was again locked, and I was once more alone.

I had time to reflect upon my imprudence. The countenance of Melchior,
when he left me, was that of a demon. Something told me to prepare for
death; and I was not wrong. The next day Melchior came not, nor the next;
my provisions were all gone. I had nothing but a little wine and water
left. The idea struck me, that I was to die of starvation. Was there no
means of escape? None; I had no weapon, no tool, not even a knife. I
had expended all my candles. At last, it occurred to me, that, although
I was in a cellar, my voice might be heard, and I resolved, as a last
effort, to attempt it. I went to the door of the cellar, and shouted at
the top of my lungs, "Murder--murder!" I shouted again and again as loud
as I could, until I was exhausted. As it afterwards appeared, this plan
did prevent my being starved to death, for such was Melchior's villanous
intention. About an hour afterwards I repeated my cries of
"Murder--murder!" and they were heard by the household, who stated to
Melchior, that there was some one shouting murder in the vaults below.
That night, and all the next day, I repeated my cries occasionally. I
was now quite exhausted, I had been nearly two days without food, and my
wine and water had all been drunk. I sat down with a parched mouth and
heated brain, waiting till I could sufficiently recover my voice to
repeat my cries, when I heard footsteps approaching. The key was again
turned in the door, and a light appeared, carried by one of two men
armed with large sledge hammers.

"It is then all over with me," cried I; "and I never shall find out who
is my father. Come on, murderers, and do your work. Do it quickly."

The two men advanced without speaking a word; the foremost, who carried
the lantern, laid it down at his feet, and raised his hammer with both
hands, when the other behind him raised his weapon--and the foremost
fell dead at his feet.

Chapter XLVIII

Is full of perilous adventures, and in which, the read