“Suddenly the noise ceased. In an instant a voice shouted from the inside of the Cell—‘Ho! guards, without there! guards!’
“I was thunderstruck at the tones of this voice, which I at once knew could not belong to the Doomed Adrian.
“‘Well!’ exclaimed Balvardo, ‘if the devil hasn’t stolen the voice of our gracious Lord the Duke!’”
Hugo pursed up his lips and gave his musical “whew!” which intended to express astonishment itself astonished.
“‘W-h-e-w!—By’r Lady, but the devil does speak in the voice of our Lord the Duke.’
“‘I am the Duke of Florence!’—shouted the voice from the cell. ‘Open the door, ye slaves!’
“‘Avoid the Sathanas!’ quoth Balvardo.
“‘Be quiet, fiend!’ cried Hugo.
“Exquisite sport—exquisite!” muttered I to myself, as a curious idea flitted through my brain, “Ho—ho—ho! The Duke of Florence locked up in one of his own prisons! Ha—ha—ha!”
“Louder rose the voice within the cell, and louder and fiercer swelled the exclamations of the sentinels; until having strained every bone in my body, with excessive laughter, I fell asleep thro’ mere weariness.