perils that already compass thee about. Oh, be thou wise — name the calamity!”

I allowed silence to accumulate while I got my impressiveness together, and then said:

“How long have I been shut up in this hole?”

“Ye were shut up when yesterday was well spent. It is 9 of the morning now.”

“No! Then I have slept well, sure enough. Nine in the morning now! And yet it is the very comple11on of midnight, to a shade. This is the 20th, then?”

“The 20th — yes.”

“And I am to be burned alive to-morrow.” The boy shuddered.

“At what hour?”