But here he was resolutely silent, and this so obstinately that he irritated his questioners to the extreme, even Dr. Higdon losing patience with him at the last.  Dalaber’s manner was bold, and to them aggressive.  The poor youth at heart felt fearful enough as he marked the anger his obstinacy had aroused; but he was resolved not to show fear, and not to betray others.  He admitted freely that he had helped Garret in the distribution of the forbidden books.  Denial would have been useless, even could he have brought himself to take a lie upon his lips and perjure himself; but he absolutely refused to give the names of any persons to whom the books had been given or sold, and this refusal evoked a great deal of anger and some rather terrible threats.

“Young man,” said Dr. London sternly, “do you know what can and may well be done to you if you remain thus obstinate, and refuse the information which we, as the guardians of the university, do justly demand of you?”

“I am in your power,” answered Dalaber; “you can do with me what you will.”

“We can do but little,” answered Dr. London.  “We can do little but keep you safe in ward—­safer than Master Garret was kept; and that shall be my task.  But what we can do later is to send you to the Tower of London, where they will examine you by the rack, and thrust you into the little-ease to meditate of your obstinacy; and then will you desire that you had spoken without such harsh pressure, and had listened to the words of counsel and warning given you by those who have your welfare at heart.  If once you are handed over to the secular arm, there is no knowing what the end may be.  Therefore take heed and be not so stubborn.”

They watched his face closely as these terrible threats were made; and Anthony, aware of their scrutiny, braced himself to meet it, and to show no signs of any sinking at heart.  And indeed the very imminence of the threatened peril seemed to act as a tonic upon his nerves, and he felt something of the strengthening power which has been promised to those who suffer persecution for conscience’ sake; so that at that moment there was no fear in his heart, but a conviction that God would fight for him and keep him strong in the faith.  Come what might, he would not betray his friends.

It was not a question of subtle doctrines, in which his understanding might become confused; it was a simple question of honour betwixt man and man, friend and friend.  He had the power to betray a vast number of men who had trusted him, and nothing would induce him to do it, not even the threat of torture and death.  He trusted to be able to endure both, should that be his fate.

“Take him away,” spoke Dr. London at last, in a voice of thunder—­“take him away, and we will see him again when discipline has something tamed his spirit.  And it will then be strange if we cannot wring somewhat more from him.  I will see him myself at a later hour; and you, Dr. Cottisford, will have a care that he doth not escape, as Master Garret did yesterday.”