ecess was
drawn a black curtain.

"Walter de Montreal," said a small man at the foot of the table, "Knight
of the illustrious order of St. John of Jerusalem--"

"And Captain of the Grand Company!" added the prisoner, in a firm voice.

"You stand accused of divers counts: robbery and murder, in Tuscany,
Romagna, and Apulia--"

"For robbery and murder, brave men, and belted Knights," said Montreal,
drawing himself up, "would use the words 'war and victory.' To those
charges I plead guilty! Proceed."

"You are next accused of treasonable conspiracy against the liberties
of Rome for the restoration of the proscribed Barons--and of traitorous
correspondence with Stefanello Colonna at Palestrina."

"My accuser?"

"Step forth, Angelo Villani!"

"You are my betrayer, then?" said Montreal steadily. "I deserved this.
I beseech you, Senator of Rome, let this young man retire. I confess my
correspondence with the Colonna, and my desire to restore the Barons."

Rienzi motioned to Villani, who bowed and withdrew.

"There rests only then for you, Walter de Montreal, to relate, fully and
faithfully, the details of your conspiracy."

"That is impossible," replied Montreal, carelessly.

"And why?"

"Because, doing as I please with my own life, I will not betray the
lives of others."

"Bethink thee--thou wouldst have betrayed the life of thy judge!"

"Not betrayed--thou didst not trust me."

"The law, Walter de Montreal, hath sharp inquisitors--behold!"

The black curtain was drawn aside, and the eye of Montreal rested on the
executioner and the rack! His proud breast heaved indignantly.

"Senator of Rome," said he, "these instruments are for serfs and
villeins. I have been a warrior and a leader; life and death have been
in my hands--I have used them as I listed; but to mine equal and my foe,
I never proffered the insult of the rack."

"Sir Walter de Montreal," returned the Senator, gravely, but with some
courteous respect, "your answer is that which rises naturally to the
lips of brave men. But learn from me, whom fortune hath made thy judge,
that no more for serf and villein, than for knight and noble, are such
instruments the engines of law, or the tests of truth. I yielded but to
the desire of these reverend councillors, to test thy nerves. But, wert
thou the meanest peasant of the Campagna, before my judgment-seat
thou needst not apprehend the torture. Walter de Montreal, amongst the
Princes of Italy thou has