Secret Societies Of The Middle Ages.—V.

felt perfectly convinced that he was retracing tlie very way by which he had been conducted a prisoner , and with eyes bandaged , on tlie first occasion of his entrance into the convent . We need not now retrace this path with him , as our readers are already acquainted with ifc , and fche covered court in which the prisoner dwelt , was close to the door through which the traveller was so unceremoniously draggedwhen

, first ; perceived by the inmates of the convent . In his hasty progress he could nob help admiring tho ingenuity with which human hands had availed themselves of the natural advantages of the position of fche convent among the rocks and mountains , in adapting its works to tho defences alread y fashioned by nature—combining them in such a manner , as to make it an impregnable fortress .

The escape of the prisoner need not be circumstantially described . He was speedily clothed iu the monkish garb taken from the superior , whom they found in tlie chapel on their return , as they had left him , impotent as to motive power- The traveller told him that lie regretted that ho could nofc release him , but thafc his oivn safety and that of others demanded that he should remain bound ; and that perhaps his

misdeeds demanded a more signal punishment , but thafc it was not for him to anticipate the decrees of justice . They accordingly left him there , locking the chapel door and carrying off the key as before . Betracing their steps fco the cavern communicating with the panelled chamber they rejoined their companion , the peasant , when tlie matron ,

doubtless , wondered where- their twelve armed coadjutors had disappeared fco , but was too thankful for her own escape and promised reward , to inquire . The reader will now understand the summons fco the Vehm tribunal , which the traveller had received and disobeyed , in consequence of ivhich Anselm sought his life , as before related , at the Black Swan at

Kemborg ; and the conversation between Oresar Borgia and Father Ansolm , in Vienna , in ivhich Cajsar explained to the latter his reasons for taking advantage of his connection with tho Vehmique association , to imprison the now liberated prisoner in the Capuchin convent between Carniola and Italy , Now also will be understood more fully the anxiety of Father Anselm to see the inside of tlie despatches sent

by the Emperor , from Vienna , to the governor of Laybacb , This town was not many miles distant from that part of the Julian Alps in which the . stronghold was situated , and furnished Avith a plan of the fortress and a map of the surrounding country , draAvn by the youngtraveller ivho had enabled the baron to effect his escape , the governor of Laybach would have had little difficult y in investing , and so , by

cutting off supplies of food , in reducing by famine that fortress which could have withstood any amount of violence . The reader will also see Anselm ' s motive in placing tho cord and dagger , together Avith the warning notice before-mentioned , on the person of tho murdered courier , as also in having the dagger , ivith the single word " beware !" struck in the emperor ' s dressing table by the page , who happened to be a member of the association—by killing his messenger and avoiving it