keeping a grasp like that of Hercules on his breast. There was a
dead silence in the cavern, only interrupted by the low and
suppressed moaning of the wounded female and by the hard breathing
of the prisoner.




CHAPTER LV

For though, seduced and led astray,
Thoust travell'd far and wander'd long,
Thy God hath seen thee all the way,
And all the turns that led thee wrong

The Hall of Justice.


After the space of about three-quarters of an hour, which the
uncertainty and danger of their situation made seem almost thrice
as long, the voice of young Hazlewood was heard without. 'Here I
am,' he cried, 'with a sufficient party.'

'Come in then,' answered Bertram, not a little pleased to find his
guard relieved. Hazlewood then entered, followed by two or three
countrymen, one of whom acted as a peace-officer. They lifted
Hatteraick up and carried him in their arms as far as the entrance
of the vault was high enough to permit them; then laid him on his
back and dragged him along as well as they could, for no
persuasion would induce him to assist the transportation by any