"Tie him up—thus—yes, the hands behind the back of the stool; the left leg bound fast—it is the right foot upon which we put the trampezo."
They did it deftly and quietly. Under the long linen garments which concealed them, their hearts were beating like drums, their throats were parched and dry, their eyes burnt as they looked out upon this dreadful scene.
The notary went back to the daïs, and sat beside Father Deza. The surgeon took Alonso aside. Johnnie heard what he said....
"It will be all right; he can bear it; he will not die; in any case the auto da fé will be in three days; he must endure it; have the water ready to bring him back if he fainteth."
The chirurgeon went back to the alcove and sat on the other side of the Inquisitor.
"Bring up the brazier," Alonso said to Commendone.
Together Johnnie and Hull carried it to the chair.
"Now send Juan for the pincers...."
There came a long, low wail of despair from the broken, motionless figure on the stool. The long pincers, like those with which a blacksmith pulls out a shoe from the charcoal, were produced....
The torturer took the glowing thing on the top of the brazier, and pulled it off, scattering the coals as he did so.