"
"I'll have the truth wrung from thy tongue. Thumbscrews and iron mittens
will not be denied so easily."
"Humph!" said Ralph; "these be rare things for cracking the shell; but,
for all that, I wot they'll not get at the kernel."
"What! defiest thou my power?--in my own custody too?" Paslew grew pale
with anger; but the impolicy of this proceeding soon suggested itself to
his wary, though at times impetuous, temper. Yet the stubborn
disposition of his prisoner resisted alike his cajolements and his
threats.
In vain were offers of reward multiplied; nor bribe nor entreaty could
avail. Paslew then left him, threatening to extract by force what milder
measures had failed to elicit. He had that morning despatched a
messenger to the rebel chiefs at Doncaster with an explanation of the
accident, likewise with an assurance of his good wishes to the cause;
but still he delayed to go in person, or to send his quota of levies.
True, however, to his threats, if not to his promises, towards the close
of the day he again visited the dungeon. He was accompanied by two grim
attendants, whom he ordered to wait outside until their services should
be required.
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