“Stay, my lord Duke,” cried Gerard sternly, as he was turning to the door; “let me have this in plainer terms. If I do not admit that I am Gerard de Cobalt, you propose to put me to the torture to drag such a confession from me?” “I will have the truth one way or the other. Use the time of grace well and be thankful that I concede it;” said the Governor with a heavy threatening frown, and motioned to Pierre to open the cell door. “As there is a God, I had not believed that any man, even you, could be capable of such infamy,” exclaimed Gerard, as the two went out. The Governor whispered a word or two of instruction to Pierre who came back and resumed his work, making much noise over it. Presently he crossed to Gerard, holding a set of heavy irons which he clanked loudly. “In his present mood he is a fiend, monsieur. He ordered me to seek to break your nerve with the full view of these things, and then to leave you in solitude that your fears should gather.” Gerard smiled. “Clank them as much as you will, I heed them not. My nerves are tough enough to withstand a greater strain than that.” “He would keep his word, monsieur. In this mood he is iron.” “Are you in truth an honest man? The breed seems rare in the Castle.” “I hope so--as men go, monsieur.” “And you heard what passed?--my last question and his reply.” “I could not help it.” “I am not this Gerard de Cobalt, and he knows it; yet you heard him declare that if I would not confess to this lie he would torture me until I did confess. If all else slips from your memory, at least remember that; for the time may come when I may need your testimony. Now do what you will; I am tired and would sleep;” and Gerard lay back on the pallet. “Not there where you lie, monsieur, safer here;” and to Gerard’s surprise Pierre made him shift his position. Presently Pierre left the cell, and Gerard fell asleep, to be wakened by a sound at the door. He sat up thinking the two hours had passed and that the Governor had returned; then started with an exclamation of delight and surprise, as he saw Gabrielle enter, dressed in a loose black cloak. “Gabrielle! You!” “I have come to set you free,” she said, pausing with blanched cheeks as her eyes ran round the cell. “What a fearful place.” “You have run this risk for me!” and he smiled. “I run no risk; but if risk there were, you must be free.” “Shall I go, mademoiselle? The door must be locked,” said Pierre. “Yes, go, good Pierre. Keep watch and warn us of any danger.” “There is a full half-hour and more, mademoiselle. But I will watch;” and he went out and locked the door behind him. “How you trust me, Gabrielle,” said Gerard. “We must not speak save in whispers; and there is much to do and to tell you.” As she spoke she slipped off the cloak and disclosed a somewhat bulky roll fastened cunningly about her. Then she took a knife from a sheath, and with it cut the bonds which bound Gerard’s arms and legs.