d through one of the
crenelations of the rampart beside him and could just see through the
morning mists the moving mass of rushing men,--horses--guns in mad
confusion.

"Well, what is your reply?" came the voice of the Austrian officer.

Renwick laughed again.

"Why should you leave us in peace if you can take the drawbridge?" he
shouted.

"Hauptmann Goritz is wanted on the charge of murder. I give you this
chance. Will you take it?"

"I regret that it is impossible," replied Renwick.

"Why?"

"Because Herr Hauptmann Goritz is dead."

"Dead? What assurances can I have that this is the truth?"

"You have only to look at the foot of the cliff below."

The two men consulted for a moment and then Herr Windt's voice was
heard. "Is Countess Strahni there?"

"Yes--and quite safe."

"And who are you?"

"My name is Hugh Renwick, Herr Windt----"

"Renwick--the Englishman----" he heard him gasp.

"Precisely. And if you're going to take this gate, you'd better be in a
hurry about it--for the Russians are approaching."

"Then you refuse?"

"Positively."

The Austrian officer saluted, and the two men marched up the causeway.
Marishka, on the other side of the gate, had started up and was
regarding him anxiously.

"What you say, Hugh--it can't be that----"

"It's true, dear," he almost shouted. "The Russians. They're coming
below there in the valley. I have just seen. The Austrians are in full
retreat. The army has been retreating all night, and we thought there
were reenforcements. If we can hold out a short while longer, we will be
safe. Are you frightened?"

"No. Will they come again, you think?"

"Yes. They'll hardly give up so easily. But keep down, Marishka,
further--in the corner. You can see as well. Ah! I wasn't mistaken. Here
they come!"

Into the squad of Austrian soldiers advancing Renwick emptied the
magazine of his repeating rifle, and took up the other. Two men fell and
the remainder paused, only to be brought on by the Austrian officer who
led them, sword in hand. Renwick could have shot him easily, but he held
his fire and as the mass of men came on he saw them raise their rifles
to their shoulders.

"Keep down!" he shouted to Marishka, "they're going to----"

Dust and mortar flew from the ancient gate and behind in the castle,
windows crashed.

"You are safe?" he shouted.

"Yes," her voice replied.

"Now watch the gateway."

A plank came over, but profiting by their earlier