"I thought it was the fiend himself who called!" he said, and crossed himself.
Visconti clutched his arm. "It was the fiend," he said. "Legions of them—the place is haunted! Give me a light!"
The soldier shrank back in horror at his words, at his hardly human eyes.
"Santa Maria!" he muttered. "I have heard evil tales of this castle, the storm too is fearful——"
"Give me a light," said Visconti; "give me a light!"
"None of the prisoners have lights—it is forbidden——" began the man, but Gian Maria cut him short.
"A light, I say!" and he put his blood-marked hand upon the other's shoulder.
"Thou heardst the fiend scream—and it was the fiend. Wilt thou give me a light?"
The frightened soldier shrank from him anew.