a heavy punishment on yourselves. And, above all,
whatever you see or hear, keep a still tongue in your heads; do not
presume to speak to anyone where you are going. If you obey implicitly
it may be that you will be leniently dealt with."

The masked man turned, beckoning over his shoulder for them to follow,
and then preceded them up the passage.

They were a great deal relieved to find that they were not to be this
time tortured; but they knew only too well what punishment it was that
they were to witness, and they felt their hearts sicken within them.
They both knew that the advice they had just received was good, and
resolved, if possible, to abide by it. They therefore followed their
leader along the corridor in silence, while the masked men with swords
fell in behind them as soon as they had passed, effectually preventing
any attempt on their part at escape.

Up the passage they went, reached the end of it, and then turned to the
right, afterwards climbing up a long flight of steps. This brought them
to another long passage, but much wider than the one leading to their
own cell. It was also covered with some kind of matting, and several
doors opened into the corridor.

Along this corridor they went, and came presently to another large door,
through which they passed, finding themselves in a large and lofty room.

This was somewhat dark, and, after the light through which they had just
passed, they could not for a few moments discern the objects contained
therein. Then, as their eyes became more accustomed to the half-light,
they perceived, hanging on the wall, strange instruments of iron and
wood, and in different places in the apartment were standing
curious-looking machines, the use of which they could only imagine with
a shudder.

The door through which they had just entered was closed and locked, and,
turning round, the two friends saw that the masked guards had vanished,
as also had the guide who had conducted them thither. But the chamber
was tenanted by several funereal figures in black, all with their faces
hidden, and whose movements even seemed to suggest something horrible
and repulsive.

In silence one of the masked figures took down an instrument from the
wall, and walked to the opposite end of the room, where stood another
group of men in black, with cowled heads.

The lads watched, as if fascinated, and with an inward feeling that
something dreadful was about to occur. They could p