head, too, was singing and thumping even as poor Betty's must have
done many a morning after Rollo had paid her for the privilege of
turning the mangle, and Peggy Ramsay secretly bestowed half-a-crown out
of her scanty pocket-money upon her, because--well, because she was a
widow and everybody spoke ill of her.

After a while Rollo began to see his surroundings more clearly. Some one
was sitting at a great table covered with black cloth. A huge crucifix
swung over his head--upon it a figure of the Safety of the World,
startlingly realistic.

"Who has brought me here?" he said aloud, uncertain whether or not he
still dreamed. His voice sounded in his own ears harsh and mechanical.

Then Rollo tried to lift a hand in order to wipe his brow. He could move
neither the right nor the left. Both appeared to be fastened firmly to
some band or ring let into a framework of wood.

Then he heard a voice from the figure seated under the black crucifix.

"Bring forward the traitor! He shall learn the great mystery!"

Rollo felt himself slowly lifted on to his feet, or rather the entire
wooden oblong to which his limbs were lashed was erected by unseen
forces. He could discern the breathing of men very close to his ear.

"Listen," said the voice from the tribunal. "You, Rollo Blair, have not
only betrayed the sacred cause of the blessed King Carlos, but, what is
ten thousand times worse, you have been a traitor to Holy Church, in her
battle against much wickedness in high places."

"Who charges me with these things?" cried Rollo, giving up a vain
struggle for freedom.

"Out of your own mouth are you condemned," came the answer. "I who speak
have heard your confession."

Then Rollo knew that Anselmo, the dark confessor, was his accuser and
judge. His executioners he had yet to make acquaintance with. The voice
from the tribunal went on, level and menacing.

"The Abbot of Montblanch may forgive a traitor and he will. He may make
and unmake pacts with a heretic if it please him. As for me, my
conscience shall be clean as were those of blessed San Fernando, of
Gimenez, of holy Torquemada, and of the most religious San Vicente
Ferrar. Die you shall, as every traitor ought. But since I would not
send an immortal soul quick to hell, I offer you this opportunity to be
reconciled to Holy Church. I bid you disavow and utterly abhor all your
treacheries and heretic opinions!"

"I am sorry enough for my sins, God knows, if so be I m