er can nor will," said the other in a firm voice.

"That's a pity," said Sharples; "because if you persist in your
determination, the consequences to yourself may be unpleasant. However,
the court wishes to deal very leniently with you, in consideration of
past services, and therefore I am commissioned to offer you a choice
between two things.--Officer! Bring forward the `peacemaker.'"

Upon this, a man stepped forward, uncorked a bottle of spirits, and
placed it on the stone in front of the lantern.

"Saint Foster," proceeded his pretended judge, "we earnestly exhort you
to lift this bottle of spirits to your lips, and, having taken a hearty
swig thereof, to say after me, `Long life and prosperity to free-thought
and good fellowship.' If you will do this we shall be fully satisfied,
and shall all part good friends."

"And if I refuse?" asked the other.

"Oh! There'll be no compulsion--we are not going to force you to drink.
This is `Liberty Hall;' only, you must submit to the alternative."

"And what may that be?"

"Oh! Just to carry home with you a little of our ointment, as a token
of our kind regards.--Officer! Bring forward the ointment."

A general gruff titter ran round the vault as one of the men placed
beside the bottle a jar with a brush in it and a bag.

"My worthy friend," proceeded the former speaker, "that jar is full of
ointment, vulgarly called tar, and that little bag contains feathers.
Now, if you positively refuse to drink the toast I have just named in
spirits, we shall be constrained to anoint you all over from head to
foot with our ointment, and then to sprinkle you with the feathers; in
so doing, we shall be affording an amusing spectacle to the inhabitants
of Crossbourne, and shall be doing yourself a real kindness, by
furnishing you with abundant means of `feathering your own nest.'"

A roar of discordant laughter followed this speech. Then there was a
pause, and a deathlike silence, while all waited for Foster's answer.
For a few moments he attempted no reply; then he said, slowly and sadly:
"I know it will be of no use for me to say what I think of the utter
baseness of the man who has enticed me here, and now acts the part of my
judge. You have me in your power, and must work your will on me, for I
will never consent to drink the toast proposed to me. But I warn you
that--"

At this moment a shrill whistle was heard by every one in the vault, and
then the sound of shouts