advantage, for attack or for repulse, for victory, or defeat. She must
mask her approach, conceal her intentions, and develop slowly the real
strength of her position. There was much that she wished to learn as to
Schloss Szolnok, and its security from those who sought to intercept
them, much in regard to the plans of her captor for the future, but she
knew that she must act with caution and skill, if she hoped to escape.

Goritz had previously expressed a wish that when she grew strong enough
to leave her bedroom, she would join him at dinner, which she heard was
served in one end of the great Hall, but she decided that the first
skirmish should take place in a situation of her own choosing. And so
after dusk, the moon coming out, she went again upon the terrace where
she leaned upon the wall of the bastion and looked down with an air of
self-sought seclusion, upon the mists of the valley.

Goritz was not long in joining her. She heard his footsteps as he
approached but did not give any sign or acknowledgment of his presence.

"May I talk with you, Countess Strahni?" he asked easily.

Her shrug, under her cloak, was hardly perceptible.

"Since you have already done so it seems that my own wishes do not
matter," she said coolly.

"I have no wish to intrude."

Marishka laughed. "I can go in----" She drew her wrap more closely
about her throat and straightened.

"I hope that you will not do that," he said.

"Is there anything you wished to speak to me about--? That
is--er--anything of importance?"

Goritz looked past her toward the profile of the distant mountain, and
smiled.

"I thought that you might be interested to learn something of my reasons
for stopping here."

"The insect in the web of the spider has little emotion left for
curiosity."

"The spider! I have always admired your courage, Countess."

"I can die but once."

"Perhaps you may care to know that you are not in the slightest danger
of death."

"Thanks," she said coolly. "Your kindness is overwhelming. Or is
my--'elimination' no longer essential?"

The more flippant her tone, the more somber Goritz became.

"My purposes, Countess Strahni, I think, you no longer have any reason
to doubt. You are quite safe at Schloss Szolnok----"

"So is the insect in the web--from all other insects but the spider."
She turned away. "You cannot blame me, Herr Hauptmann, if I judge of the
future by the past."

"I would waste words to make further e