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 may have been his errors. Follow me down stairs," added he to the old man, who appeared to be planet struck, "I wish to talk with you." They each took a glass of wine, and then looking steadfastly on Francis, "Tell me," said he, "who is confined in this Castle, whose cries are those I have nightly heard?"

"How, Sir!" cried the other, "have you heard their cries? Who, or what they are, I know not, nor their place of confinement; but that there are some poor souls some where underground is sure enough."

"What," said Ferdinand, "were not you in your master's secrets? Have you not resided with him many years?"

"I have lived with him nine years; Sir; but I never knew his secrets, for he never conversed with me more than to ask for what he wanted, nor ever sent me out of the Castle. Whenever the man, who brings things from the village twice a week, rings at the bell, he always went himself, and so, Sir, I could speak to nobody."