men fined one fellow a hundred pounds for calling their justices a pack
of jackasses----"

"Sentence is to be pronounced to-morrow after communion," said Rebecca.

"After communion?" I could say no more. On that of all days for
tyranny's crime!

God forgive me for despairing of mankind that night. I thought freedom
had been won in the Commonwealth war, but that was only freedom of
body. A greater strife was to wage for freedom of soul.




CHAPTER IV

REBECCA AND JACK BATTLE CONSPIRE

'Twas cockcrow when I left pacing the shore where we had so often
played in childhood; and through the darkness came the howl of M.
Picot's hound, scratching outside the prison gate.

As well reason with maniacs as fanatics, say I, for they hide as much
folly under the mask of conscience as ever court fool wore 'neath
painted face. There was Mr. Stocking, as well-meaning a man as trod
earth, obdurate beyond persuasion against poor M. Picot under his
charge. Might I not speak to the French doctor through the bars of his
window? By no means, Mr. Stocking assured. If once the great door
were unlocked, who could tell what black arts a sorcerer might use?