Oh! what a fool I had been to accept that rascal's invitation! The more I thought of it, the angrier I became with myself.

Now, goodness only knew how long I should be confined in this wretched place, and what would happen during my absence from the world! At last the dawn broke, and with it, a weird sickly light penetrated the room.

I sprang from my bed and approached the window, only to find that it overlooked a small courtyard, the latter being stoneflagged and surrounded by high walls.

I could see that, even if I were able to squeeze my way out between the bars, I should be powerless to scale the walls.

At a rough guess these were at least twelve feet high, and without a foothold of any sort or description.