"From the four corners of the room near the ceiling and extending to the center, were suspended four ropes rigged with pulleys. My hands and feet were tied to these, when they were drawn tight and I was suspended in midair; then I was repeatedly hoisted back and forth from the floor to near the lofty ceiling until my joints were dislocated from the strain and I lost consciousness from pain, though I am glad to say, not once did I utter a cry, give forth a groan or ask mercy of my tormentors. "When consciousness returned I was on the pallet in my cell and lay there for several days suffering as from severe sprains. "My jailer was not unkind. His life I felt was not a happy one. He seemed to enjoy conversing with me, though he was forced to lie on the floor and call through the grating. "This encouraged the hope that in sympathy or for reward I might persuade him to carry word to my wife of my place of imprisonment, when she, through the influence of Sir John or her brother, would be able to procure my release. "I knew how she must suffer and search for traces of me, fearing I had been murdered and my body thrown into the river or buried in some secret place. "That night the friar lay down upon the floor and called; "'Edward Hawkwood are you awake?' "'Yes.' "'Has the swelling and soreness left your joints?' "'Yes, I feel about well.' "'In a day or two they will torture you again and continue doing so each week until you confess, express repentance and do what they ask. This I advise you to do, else in the end they will torture you to death, or leave you forgotten to die in your dungeon.' "'I at least have this to be thankful for that you are not unkind.' "'If it were suspected that I treated you other than a caged beast your jailer would be changed and severely punished.' "'Discovery is impossible, since you only talk with me at night.' "'I am not so sure; there are always spies in our brotherhood and all, from the scullion to the prelate, are under surveillance.' "'I am sorry to learn that, as I hoped to prevail upon you to deliver a message to my wife, telling her where I am confined.' "'Were I caught in the effort, I should be tortured to death, or confined indefinitely in a dungeon. Should your friends attempt your rescue or ask your release you would be murdered and dropped into come deep secret pit to destroy all evidence, when all would deny that you had been held a prisoner.' "'My wife will give you a hundred florins if you will but give her a note telling my place of confinement. I have been but a few months married; she loves me dearly and is no doubt crazed by my disappearance.'