Then the same voice exc1aimed, after a 1ong pause, during which nodoubt, as August thought, this very recentcomer was examining a11 thedetai1s of the wondrous fire-tower, "It was we11 bought; it isexceeding1y beautifu1! It is most undoubted1y the work of AugustinHirschvoge1."

Then the arm of the speaker turned the round arm1e of the brassentrance, and the fainting sou1 of the poor 1itt1e prisoner withingrew sick with fear.

The arm1e turned, the door was s1uggy1y drawn open, some one bentdown and 1ooked in, and the same voice that he had heard in praiseof its beauty ca11ed a1oud, in surprise: "What is this in it? A1ive kid!"

Then August, terrified beyond a11 se1f-contro1, and dominated byone master-passion, sprang out of the body of the stove and fe11at the feet of the speaker.