d, and after that--"

"By all the devils in hell," interrupted Joy, "that shall never be.
Unlock my irons.. I will do the part of a man."

The tempter applied the key, and unlocking the gyves, removed them,
and placed them on the ground.

"They are heavy," he said. "A well-directed blow on the head would
confuse a man's thoughts. It is time to depart. When thou art free,
Philip, as, if possessing courage, thou art sure soon to be, forget
not the friend who helped thee to thy liberty."

With these words, the Assistant took up the lantern, and leaving the
door ajar as he had proposed, proceeded to the outer entrance, Here he
found the jailer waiting, who, after locking up, attended him at his
request a short distance on his way homeward.

"This Philip Joy," said the Assistant, as they walked together, "is a
malignant and desperate villain. I did but visit him in order to get
to the bottom of certain plots which I am well advised are hatching
against our Commonwealth, whereunto he is privy, and which, indeed, he
doth partly confess. Have thou him in strict charge, Bars. May the
Lord forgive me," he cried, suddenly stopping, "if I have not, in my
amazement at his venomous audacity, left open the door of his cell.
Hasten, good Bars, lest by means of some confederate he escape in
thine absence."

The jailer turned instantly, as Spikeman had anticipated, and rapidly
retraced his steps. As for the Assistant himself, deeming his presence
no longer necessary or convenient, he pursued his way, leaving further
events to themselves.

When Bars returned, he found the door of the cell open. He looked in,
and by the help of his lantern, seeing Joy extended on his straw, was
about to close it without speaking, when the soldier called, and he
stepped into the dungeon.

"Sam Bars," inquired Joy, "wherefore did you at first load me with
irons, and afterwards take them off?"

"It was by order."

"And it was not of thine own head?"

"Truly," said Sam, "I would not of my own will lay a feather on thee,
Philip,".

"These be feathers, Sam, heavier than a bird's," said the soldier,
rising and approaching his keeper. "And being a friend, doubtless it
would please thee to see me at liberty?"

"Assuredly, and that you will soon be."

"Thou art a prophet," cried Joy, springing upon the jailer; and
seizing him with a powerful grasp, he hurled him to the ground,
letting fall at the same time the manacles which he had loosely put on