Go everywhere and do anything you like; only
one thing I beg and beseech you, do not open the little iron door
in the north tower, which is closed with seven locks and seven
bolts; for if you do, we shall both suffer for it.'
Iwanich promised what she asked, and Militza departed, repeating
her promise to return in seven days.
When the Prince found himself alone he began to be tormented by
pangs of curiosity as to what the room in the tower contained.
For two days he resisted the temptation to go and look, but on
the third he could stand it no longer, and taking a torch in his
hand he hurried to the tower, and unfastened one lock after the
other of the little iron door until it burst open.
What an unexpected sight met his gaze! The Prince perceived a
small room black with smoke, lit up feebly by a fire from which
issued long blue flames. Over the fire hung a huge cauldron full
of boiling pitch, and fastened into the cauldron by iron chains
stood a wretched man screaming with agony.
Iwanich was much horrified at the sight before him, and asked the
man what terrible crime he had committed to be punished in this
dreadful fashion.
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