Hence
they danced and whirled in front of the fire, tossing ceaselessly
this way and that within the compass of their chains, wearied to
death, their protruding tongues cracked and blackened with thirst,
but unable for one instant to rest from their writhings and
contortions.
Even stranger was the sight at each side of the room, whence came
that chorus of groans which had first struck upon the ears of
Nigel and his companions. A line of great hogsheads were placed
alongside the walls, and within each sat a man, his head
protruding from the top. As they moved within there was a
constant splashing and washing of water. The white wan faces all
turned together as the door flew open, and a cry of amazement and
of hope took the place of those long-drawn moans of despair.
At the same instant two fellows clad in black, who had been seated
with a flagon of wine between them at a table near the fire,
sprang wildly to their feet, staring with blank amazement at this
sudden inrush. That instant of delay deprived them of their last
chance of safety. Midway down the room was a flight of stone
steps which led to the main door.
Swift as a wildcat Nigel bounded toward it and gained the steps a
stride or two before the jailers. They turned and made for the
other which led to the passage, but Simon and his comrades were
nearer to it than they. Two sweeping blows, two dagger thrusts
into writhing figures, and the ruffians who worked the will of the
Butcher lay dead upon the floor of their slaughter-house.
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