Page:The black tulip (IA 10892334.2209.emory.edu).pdf/239

 Among other things, they told him, that this regulation had been carried out to its full extent in the case of a prisoner named Mathias, who in 1668, that is to say, five years before, had committed a much less violent act of rebellion than that of which Cornelius was guilty, He had found his soup too hot, and thrown it at the head of the chief turnkey, who, in consequence of this ablution, had been put to the inconvenience of having his skin come off as he wiped his face.

Mathias was taken within twelve hours from his cell, then led to the jailor’s lodge, where he was registered as leaving Lœvestcin, then taken to the Esplanade, from which there is a very fine prospect over a wide expanse of country. There they fettered his hands, bandaged his eyes, and let him say his prayers.

Hereupon he was invited to go down on his knees, and the guards of Lœvestein, twelve in number, at a sign from a serjeant, very cleverly lodged a musket ball each in his body.

In consequence of this proceeding, Mathias incontinently did then and there die.

Cornelius listened with the greatest attention to this delightful recital, and then said,—

“Ah! ah! within twelve hours, you say?”

“Yes, the twelfth hour had not even struck, if I remember right,” said the guard, who had told him the story.

“Thank you,” said Cornelius.

The guard still had the smile on his face, with which he accompanied, and, as it were, accentuated his tale, when footsteps and a jingling of spurs were heard ascending the staircase.

The guards fell back to allow an officer to pass, who entered the cell of Cornelius, at the moment when the clerk of Lœvestein was still making out his report.