They dragged the intended victim forward through the woods. Once or twice he appeared to make desperate efforts to escape, but we need not say made them in vain.
We must shift the scene to the torture chamber.
Imagine a long dark room, below the level of the ground, underneath the keep; stone flags below, a vaulted ceiling above; dimly lighted by torches fixed in sconces in the wall; a curtain covering a recess; in front, a chair for Hugo and a table for a scribe, with ink horn and parchment.
Around the table were gathered Hugo himself, his guests Raoul de Broc, Tustain de Wylmcote, Ralph de Bearleigh, his seneschal, chamberlain, and other confidential officers of his household, and four strong brawny men-at-arms--sufficient to manage the prisoner with ease.
Ordgar, son of Haga, stood alone at the foot of the table, before all this hostile array.
"Villain," said Hugo (the name only imported serf), "thy name?"
"I have told thee, Ordgar, son of Haga."
"Thou art a vassal of Aescendune?"
"I was."
"And art: my rights over thee cease not."