consented; and furthermore promised to preserve that part of Estevan's property which he had insured at Bourdeaux, by causing it to be sequestered. He also gave him the key of a private door in his garden, shewed him a secret staircase by which he might ascend, unnoticed, to his chamber; and agreed upon a private signal to be made at the door. They then parted; Zamora to set about his master's liberation, and the consul to plan the safety of his property, which he was in a great degree fortunate enough to effect, by insisting on its not being disposed of till the conclusion of his trial, and laying claim to the greater part of it on behalf of the insurance company at Bourdeaux. Zamora in the mean time, repaired to the Holy Office, and begged to speak to the Grand Inquisitor. After some difficulty he was admitted and obtained an audience of one of the Inquisitors. He represented himself as a servant of Don Estevan, who had promised to have him baptised while in Mexico, but had delayed it; and now his master having been arrested he was fearful of losing his salvation. He concluded by placing fifty pieces of gold in the hand of the Inquisitor to have masses said for his salvation. He represented himself as destitute of employment; and the Inquisitor after asking a few questions as to his talents, agreed to attach him to the service of the Holy Office. A bell was rung, and he was placed under the care of an officer who appeared to the summons, to be initiated in the mysteries of his new situation. This was what he wanted and it was with difficulty he could express his transports at the success of his plan. By dint of unwearied diligence, circumspection and artifice, he succeeded in obtaining the good will of the Grand Inquisitor and the principal officers, and obtained access to the dungeons of upwards of fifty prisoners, but without entering the only one he wished to behold. He likewise managed to apprise the consul of his proceedings.

One morning, as he stood in the gallery with the guards, the majordomo brought a note to the alcaide. The alcaide immediately ordered six of them to take their carbines. This was the usual sign that they were about to conduct a prisoner to the mesa or board of the Holy Office. Zamora was going to retire, when the alcaide said to him, "Come you also with us; you will behold a quarter you are not as yet acquainted with." These words made him tremble with anxiety. He followed them. The alcaide then opened a door which, till then, Zamora had always seen shut. They ascended to an upper floor and came to a gallery less dark than that below. "This is the quarter

of the Hidalgos, or people of quality," said the alcaide. At last they arrived at one chamber; the bars were withdrawn, the double doors were opened; "You are summoned," said the alcaide to the prisoner within; a person then came forth it was Estevan himself. What a moment to Zamora! what surprise! Estevan proceeded with his eyes fixed upon the ground: he raised them, and beheld his faithful follower. Zamora, shuddering with terror, lest some slight gesture might occasion the destruction of both, placed his finger upon his lips. Esteven understood the signal, and went forward without betraying the least emotion. Zamora being thus set at ease, suffered him to proceed with his escort, and, availing himself of the confidence which he enjoyed in the house, returned, during the absence of Estevan, to his dungeon, the door of which was left open; he examined its position, upon what external part of the building the window opened, how many bars secured it, and at what height it stood from the ground. It was over the garden, the elevation of about fifty feet. No windows where any dangerous observation could be made, were directed towards this quarter: this was all he wanted to know. He came forth, and nobody observed him. He then descended and

waited Estevan's return. For a long time Zamora had been ready to take advantage of any fortunate event. After a lapse of about two hours, Estevan returned, with the same retinue, their eyes again met, and much meaning was in the glance. Being arrived at the door of his dungeon, Esteven entered, the alcaide, was about to bolt the door, the officious Zamora offered to spare him the trouble, and, pretending to employ some force, and drawing close the inner door, he passed his hand through the wicket by which the food of the prisoners is introduced, and let a small billet fall within; then, having shut both the doors, he retired with the guards and the alcaide. Esteven snatched this billet as the palladium of his fate, and read: "Courage, patience, silence, attention, and above all, destroy after you read." What a moment! what transport! As soon as they had descended the stairs, the alcaide said to Zamora," He did not recognize you, I observed him attentively; not the least symptom of emotion escaped him." "It was owing to his passing suddenly from darkness into light," answered Zamora ; " and what if he had recognized me? In coming hither I have done my duty, and let him do his." "That is well said," replied the alcaide," but when are you to be baptized?" "I know not; in three or four months, as his reverence promised me my grandmother is gone to Madrid, and he waits for her return. But, Mr. Alcaide, you must be fatigued, a glass of wine and a biscuit will not be unacceptable, let us ascend to my chamber.” "With all my heart."

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The next morning he was in the garden, which laid beneath the window of Estevan; he had worked there an hundred times without suspecting he was so near his unfortunate master. The gardener was accustomed to see him there, and never interfered with any work that he did he knew that father Juan was his protector, and that was enough. The gardener was a man above sixty years old, who was extravagantly fond of brandy, and Zamora took care that he should not want his favourite liquor. By day or by night, at any hour that he pleased, he could enter the garden unnoticed. Upon that day, he employed himself in ascertaining which of the windows, that opened into the garden, belonged to the dungeon of his master; he had taken care to count the number of doors which opened into the gallery, and by reckoning the same number of windows, he flattered himself that he had ascertained the right one. However, to remove all doubt, he took a spade, and pretending to dress some beds of flowers, he whistled a plaintive air which is well known to the inhabitants of Mexico. He was not mistaken; by the reason of the silence which reigns in the Inquisition, the tune reached the ear of Estevan, who instantly made signal, by coughing within, that he was sensible of the presence of his faithful servant.

He then managed to become one of those who supplied the prisoners with food, and had opportunities of approaching his master. At length, one evening, as he conveyed to Estevan his supper through the wicket he contrived adroitly to let fall a second billet-"To-morrow, at the same hour: caution!" The next evening, at the hour of distribution, he took care to be at hand. His comrades arranged the suppers of the prisoners upon plates, in order to convey them to their cells. Zamora took charge of the basket which contained the portions of bread. They then set forward. In going along he contrived to let one piece of bread fall from the basket. He picked it up and placed it under his arm. This distribution then was made from door to door, and Zamora contrived to introduce, through that of Estevan, the piece of bread which he had picked up. Never, in his entire existence, did he experience anxiety equal to that which he suffered, from the moment when his pretended awkwardness

caused the bread to fall from the basket, until that in which he conveyed it to the hand of Estevan. He had substituted it by stealth into the kitchen for another piece which he left there, in order that there might not appear to have been a piece too many, which might create suspicion in such a place as the Holy Office, where the smallest trifles do not pass unnoticed. This piece of bread contained a file. The sudden transition, from so tormenting a state of inquietude to the rapture which he felt in his success, so completely overpowed his spirits, that the moment he had descended the stairs, he fainted away. He quickly recovered his senses, and with his native presence of mind ascribed his weakness to the oppressive heat of the day, and the little food which he had taken. He then allowed Estevan time sufficient to avail himself of the invaluable present of the file. The festival of Christmas approached, and this was the season which Zamora had made choice of his enterprise.

In those days the friars were accustomed to spend more time than usual at table, and were therefore likely to pass their nights in a more profound repose. The nights then were long and dark, and Zamora took care to choose a time when there was no moon. On the night which preceded the eve of Christmasday, Zamora cast into his master's cell a third billet-"If you are ready, tomorrow, after dinner, leave some wine in your bottle." The answer that he wished for was returned: this was on Christmas-eve. Upon the day of this festival, Zamora enjoyed a still greater facility of correspondence; at the hour of distributing their supper to the prisoners, the greater part of the servants, the guards and the alcaide were still at church. Zamora then threw in his fourth and last billet-" To morrow, between midnight and one o'clock, let down the cord and get yourself ready." The evening came; the routine of duty being over about six o'clock, the grand Inquisitor and the majority of the superior members of the Inquisition sat down to table. The wine was not spared; at nine they separated, and in half an hour more they were all in a profound sleep. The alcaide then said to Zamora, "Every body is asleep, as you perceive, there are no rounds to go to-night, I will go and spend a few hours with donna Jacintha" (his mistress). Well," replied Zamora, " I have promised to sup with the gardener and his wife, if you please we will go out together. The alcaide desired the guard to watch well, they promised as usual, and in half an hour after they were as fast asleep as every other person. Zamora supped with the gardener and his wife: he had supplied himself with excellent wine; joy, laughter, and songs heightened the pleasure of the repast, bumper followed bumper, and at eleven o'clock the gardener and his wife leaned snoring upon the table.

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The clock now struck twelve. Zamora now extinguished the candles, and on tip-toe descended the stairs. He entered the garden, it was perfectly dark, and rained violently. He ran to dig up a rope ladder, which he had concealed beneath a bed of flowers, of which he alone had the care, under the pretence of cultivating them for father Juan Maria. After some search he found it, he flew to a window, a slight whistle was the signal, in a moment after he saw descend a thin cord which he conveyed to Estevan, he siezed it, fastened to it his ladder and then gave it a gentle pull. With the utmost extasy he saw the ladder ascend; the agitation which he endured was now most dreadful. Estevan appeared; and a moment more gave him to the extatic embrace of the delighted Zamora. They flew across the garden, entered the street, and were soon at a distance from this dreadful place. Zamora, unable to speak, again strained to master his heart, the tears bedewed both their cheeks, and spoke with an eloquence, which it is not in language to express. "Come," a

length cried Zamora, "thanks to the Father of all mercies, we are safe." They were then about to enter the street which was adjacent to the garden of the Consul, when a man appeared. It was the alcaide. "Is this you, Zamora ?" said he;" and this man, surely I know his face?" The moment was a decisive one. Zamora seized the arm of the alcaide, and put a pistol to his breast: "If you speak," said he, "death! if you are silent, a thousand franks." "Neither," said the alcaide: "you fly, I perceive; let me accompany you, that is all I wish." Zamora hesitated. "Fear nothing," replied the alcaide, "I have lost every thing; Lisbon is now no place for me.' "Come," said Zamora. The meeting, the conversation, the resolution, all passed in a time much shorter than the description. They then entered the garden of the Consul, flew across it in a moment, reached the door, ascended the stairs, and here had their liberty secure in the asylum of his chamber.

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The Consul received them with kindness, returned the wealth with which Zamora had entrusted him, and detailed his plans for their future security. The sun had risen before their interesting conversation was ended. The alcaide, whom they had totally forgotten, now returned to their recollection. On entering, they had, in a few words, informed the Consul of his case, who entrusted bim to the care of his valet, with orders to watch him carefully. Zemora then hastened to see him. "I expected you," said the unhappy man; "I can follow you no further, a burning fever consumes me: I have lost every thing that bound me to this life. The faithless-what shall I say? Love-revengeoh! revenge! if men but knew the horrid remorse by which it is succeeded!"

From the very first day, a violent delirium distracted the miserable sufferer: his strength decayed, the violence of his disorder increased, all remedy became fruitless, and in that dreadful situation he expired. In order to avoid all dangerous explanations, he was privately interred in the chapel of the Consul, and it was generally believed, by the inquisition of Lisbon, that he had favoured the escape of Estevan, and fled in his company.

The Consul suffered some days to pass away, during which he caused a report to be circulated, that Estevan and Zamora had been seen in the mountains of Alenteijo, as they were endeavouring to gain the little port of Lagos, in order doubtless to endeavour to embark thence. This piece of news, passing from one person to another, at last gained the greatest credit, and all the attention of the familiars of the Holy office was turned in that direction. This was what the Consul had expected, and, accordingly, some spies, who had been observed about his hotel, entirely disappeared. He profited by this moment of calm. The master of the vessel was now ready, he accordingly sailed and brought to near the Cape of La Roca. The consul set out in the evening with Estevan and Zamora behind his coach, whom he had dressed in his livery, and reached Cascao. The ship's cutter was waiting for them. The Consul saw them on board; the vessel instantly sailed, and they arrived safe at Bourdeaux.

A MURDER DISCOVERED BY TOUCHING THE DEAD BODY. The following account of an extraordinary case of murder, in Hertfordshire, was found amongst the papers of that eminent lawyer, Sir John Maynard, one of the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal of England.

"The case, or rather the history of a case, that happened in the county of Hertford, I thought good to report here, though it happened in the fourth year of king Charles I. that the memory of it may not be lost by miscarriage of my papers or otherwise. I wrote the evidence which was given, which I and

many others did hear, and I wrote it exactly according to what was deposed at the bar of the King's Bench, viz.

"Johan Norkett, wife of Arthur Norkett, being murdered, the question was, how she came by her death? The coroner's inquest on view of the body, and depositions of Mary Norkett, John Okerman, and Agnes his wife, inclined to find Johan Norkett "felo de se;" for they informed the coroner and Jury that she was found dead in her bed, the knife sticking in the floor, and her throat cut; and the night before she went to bed with her child, the plaintiff in this appeal, (her husband being absent,) and that no other person, after such time as she was gone to bed, came into her house, the examinants lying in the outer room, and they must needs have seen or known if any stranger had come in, whereupon the jury gave up to the coroner their verdict, that she was "felo de se." But, afterwards upon rumour among the neighbourhood, and their observance of divers circumstances which manifested that she did not, nor, according to those circumstances, could ever possibly murder herself, whereupon the jury, whose verdict was not yet drawn into form by the coroner, desired the coroner, that the body, which was buried, might be taken out of the grave, which the coroner assented to; and thirty days after her death, she was taken up in the presence of the Jury, and a great number of the people, whereupon the jury changed their verdict. The persons being tried at Hertford assizes were acquitted; but so much against the evidence, that Judge Hervey let fall his opinion that better an appeal were brought than so foul a murder escape unpunished; and Pascha, 4th Car. they were tried on the appeal, which was brought by the young child against his father, grandmother, and aunt and her husband, Okerman; and because the evidence was so strange, I took exact and particular notice, and it was as follows, viz.

"After the matters above related, an ancient and grave person, minister to the parish where the murder was committed (being sworn to give evidence, according to custom), deposed, That the body being taken out of the grave thirty days after the party's death, and lying on the grass, and the four defendants, present, they were required each of them to touch the dead body. Okerman's wife fell upon her knees, and prayed to God to show tokens of her innocence, or to some such purpose-her very words I have forgot. The appellees did touch the dead body, whereupon the body of the dead, which was before a livid and carrion colour (that was the verbal expression in terminis of the witness), began to have a dew of gentle sweat arise upon it, which increased by degrees till the sweat ran down in drops upon the face, the brow turned and changed to a lively and fresh colour, and the dead opened one of her eyes and shut it again, and this opening the eye was done three several times; she likewise thrust out the ring or marriage finger three several times, and pulled it in again, and the finger dropt blood on the grass.' Sir Nicholas Hyde, chief magistrate, seemed to doubt the evidence, asked the witness, Who saw this beside you?'-Witness. I cannot swear what others saw; but, my lord,' said he, I believe the whole company saw it; and if it had been thought a doubt, proof would have been made of it, and many would have attested with me.' "Then the witness, observing some admiration in the auditors, spake further. "My lord, I am minister of the parish, and have known all the parties, but never have had any occasion of displeasure against any of them, nor had to do with them, nor they with me; but as I was minister, the thing was wonderful to me; I have no interest in the matter, but as called upon to testify the truth and that I have done.'

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"This witness was a reverend person; as I guessed, was about seventy years