ke this fellow away, and I charge you
watch over him securely, and remember that your lives shall answer for
his escape."

"There is no need for threats, signor," Philippo said. "You can rely on
our vigilance, though, as far as I see, if he had but a child to watch
him he would be safe in that cell of his, fettered as he is."

Ruggiero waved his hand impatiently, and the two men withdrew with
their prisoner.

"If it were not that I have not touched my share of the booty of our
last trip," Philippo said as they left the house, "I would not serve
him another day. As it is, as soon as the galley returns, and we get
our shares of the money, and of the sum he has promised if this
expedition of his is successful, I will be off. I have had enough of
this. It is bad enough to be consorting with Moors, without being
abused and threatened as if one was a dog."

As soon as he was alone again, Francis set to work, and by the
afternoon the ends of the four rivets were worn down level with the
iron, and it needed but a pressure to make the rings spring open. Then
he waited for the evening before freeing himself, as by some chance he
might again be visited, and even if free before nightfall he could not
leave the house.

Philippo was later than usual in bringing him his meal, and Francis
heard angry words passing between him and his comrade, because he had
not returned to relieve him sooner.

"Is everything ready for the start?" Francis asked the man as he
entered.

"Yes, the crew are all on board. The boat is to be on shore for the
captain at nine o'clock, and as there is a little breeze blowing, I
expect they will get up sail and start at once."

After a few minutes' talk the man left, and Francis waited until it
became almost dark, then he inserted the dagger between the irons at
the point of junction. At the first wrench they flew apart, and his
left hand was free. A few minutes' more work and the chains lay on the
ground.

Taking them up, he rattled them together loudly. In a minute he heard
the guard outside move and come to the door, then the key was inserted
in the lock and the door opened.

"What on earth are you doing now?" Philippo asked as he entered.

Francis was standing close to the door, so that as his guard entered he
had his back to him, and before the question was finished he sprang
upon him, throwing him headlong to the ground with the shock, and
before the astonished man could speak he was kneeling