"My veracity is dearer to me than my life," said the peasant; "nor
would I purchase the one by forfeiting the other."

"Indeed, young philosopher!" said Manfred contemptuously; "tell me,
then, what was the noise I heard?"

"Ask me what I can answer," said he, "and put me to death instantly
if I tell you a lie."

Manfred, growing impatient at the steady valour and indifference of
the youth, cried -

"Well, then, thou man of truth, answer! Was it the fall of the
trap-door that I heard?"

"It was," said the youth.

"It was!" said the Prince; "and how didst thou come to know there
was a trap-door here?"

"I saw the plate of brass by a gleam of moonshine," replied he.

"But what told thee it was a lock?" said Manfred. "How didst thou
discover the secret of opening it?"

"Providence, that delivered me from the helmet, was able to direct
me to the spring of a lock," said he.

"Providence should have gone a little farther, and have placed thee