Secret Societies Of The Middle Ages.—V.

" I belicA'c , good woman , " said the traveller , " that he is no more mad than yourself . ) but is the victim of a vile consjiiracy . Now , who is the superior of the convent' ?" " Father Anselm ; a stern , harsh , reserved man , and who , they say , is very fond of gold . " " Now , listen ! Our object is to release the prisoner of ivhom I have

been speaking . We have competent aid close at hand , and Avere I to admit my folloAvers , they Avould , if necessary , sack and fire the convent , and murder every one within its Avails . BeAvarc IIOAV you deceive us . " A p lan Avas hastily determined on . The matron , if the p lan was successful , Avas to be the partner of their flight , to avoid the inoA'itable vengeance which must overtake her , should she attempt to remain .

The peasant was to return to their coadjutors in the cavern ; so as to be ready to pour in their reserved force , and take summary vengeance , in case of any attempted treachery , Avhile the matron ivas to guide the traveller forthwith to the place of confinement of the prisoner . The matron had mentioned , a report , that the superior ivas a man of extraordinary power and influence , so much so , that all the southwestern part of Carniola trembled afc his name , and that he was a chief of some terrible association , whose means of detecting and punishing enemies were hidden but sure . The traveller IIOAV understood that

the unfortunate prisoner Avas iu the custody of one of the chiefs of the Vehni tribunal , and that he himself was within tlie walls of a stronghold of fche holy Vehni , which he must take care became not his living tomb . All AVUS going well , until just as they ivere Hearing the chapel , a tail figure confronted them , exclaiming , " Who goes there ?" "Father Anselm , the superior I" ejaculated fche terrified matron , losing all her presence of mind afc this sudden aud inauspicious encounter .

Not a moment was fco be lost ; another minute and the convent had been alarmed . " What ! " exclaimed the superior . ' ' You are meditating some treachery 1 Else Avhy—and you , sir—Avho—" But in an instant the powerful young man had hurled the monk to the ground , and bound his arms to his side ivith the cord which he wore as a girdle . " You will not murder mc f muttered the superior ; in a low tone , for the traveller muttered threats which alarmed liiin .

" J \ ot if you remain quiet ; but if you utter another word ; save in answer to auy questions that I may ask you , I will plunge this dagger into you . " He then dragged him , as he was , into the chapel . There he gagged him , stripped his hooded cloak from his shoulders , locked the chapel door upon him , and accompanied the matron towards the prisoners

p lace of confinement . The two . noiv descended a spiral staircase , the steps of which our Hero carefully counted , They were seventy-sovon in number , and he