The six sisters of the valleys : an historical romance - University Library

98 THE SIX SISTERS OF THE VALLEYS.
" There's a large one, will that suit ?"
" All right; now throw me the winch,
for I must see that this screw moves
easily : the Holy Fathers don't like to have
tilings screaking when conversation is
going on; I think a drop of oil or hog's
lard would be useful here. It would make
this bolt slip up and down in the socket,
like an eel in the mouth of a Capuchin."
self."
" Here's a flask hanging up, help your-
" No, we mustn't have that," growled
G-uiseppe.
" Do you know what it's for ?"
and he bent his head near his companion,
and as if he dared not give utterance to the
thought. His companion shuddered, and
his face grew pale.
"Santissima Maria!" exclaimed An-
tonio, crossing himself and saying an Ave :
" now, Guiseppe, I ask you as a man, do
you think the Virgin wants this blood ?—is
it not horrible to think of such cruelties ?"
"Well, Antonio, these Holy Fathers