"'You cannot know how much I have suffered believing you dead. I hope and live again since you sent the message and the ring.
"'What shall we do to find or rescue you? If you are not permitted to write send me a piece of your clothing so I may know the messenger comes from you.
"'Use every effort to come home to me as life is worthless with you away. I dare not write more. Can I send you anything?'
"'Let me have the note so I may see my wife's handwriting.'
"'I will if you return it so it may be destroyed; your cell may be searched.'
"He dropped it down, then let down a cord to which I tied the note after having read it many times and held it to my lips.
"The succeeding night Ser Nuto came to the cell and I was again brought before the holy tribunal, where an officer stood to take down my confession and a surgeon to feel my pulse and estimate the amount of torture I could bear.
"As I came in a poor man was being tortured and I stood and looked on, a horrified witness, until he died upon the rack.
"Then I was called before the prelate and asked:
"'Will you confess your many sins, declare your repentance and help the Holy Church to secretly take and imprison Sir John Hawkwood?'