hed at it--not in scorn,
no, it was in easy indifference. I did not believe it had anything to
do with me. And now, I suppose, if I were to stand in the public
streets and cry that I had been mistaken, with all the fervour of a
bursting heart, men would laugh at me in an easy way--as I did then.

"I don't fear death. I have often faced it, and I don't remember ever
feeling afraid of death. Yet I shrink from death _now_. Why is this?
What a mystery my thoughts and feelings are to me. I know not what to
think. But it will soon be over, for I feel certain that I shall be
doomed to die. God help me!"

Gascoyne again became silent. When he had remained thus a few minutes
his attention was roused by the sound of footsteps and of whispering
voices close under his window. Presently the key was put in the lock,
the heavy bolt shot back, and the door creaked on its hinges as it
opened slowly.

Gascoyne knew by the sound that several men entered the cell, but as
they carried no light he could not tell how many there were. He was of
course surprised at a visit at such an unusual hour, as well as at the
stealthy manner in which his visitors entered; but having made up his
mind to submit quietly to whatever was in store for him, and knowing
that he could not hope for much tenderness at the hands of the
inhabitants of Sandy Cove, he was not greatly disturbed. Still, he
would not have been human had not his pulse quickened under the
influence of a strong desire to spring up and defend himself.

The door of the cell was shut and locked as quietly as it had been
opened; then followed the sound of footsteps crossing the floor.

"Is that you, jailer?" demanded Gascoyne.

"Ye'll know that time enough," answered a gruff voice that was not
unfamiliar to the prisoner's ear.

The others who had entered along with this man did not move from the
door--at least, if they did so, there was no sound of footsteps. The
man who had spoken went to the window and spread a thick cloth over it.
Gascoyne could see this, because there was sufficient light outside to
make the arms of the man dimly visible as he raised them up to
accomplish his object. The cell was thus rendered, if possible, more
impenetrably dark than before.

"Now, pirate," said the man, turning round, and suddenly flashing a dark
lantern full on the stern face of the prisoner, "you and I will have a
little convarse together--by yer leave or without yer leave. In case