dealt him a stinging blow from behind, that sent him sprawling on top of
his comrades.

"Quick, young man! Escape by the gate yonder, and fly to the American
minister for protection," said Tobasco; and without waiting for an
explanation he fled, and in an instant more was on the street, while
Tobasco quickly secreted himself in a deep doorway, for his work was not
done yet.

Recovering from their stunned condition, the gendarmes raised an alarm
in the courtyard, which quickly brought out the prince's followers, and
even the prince himself rushed from his room into the courtyard, to
ascertain the cause of the alarm.

Flitting like a shadow almost, Tobasco ran from his hiding-place into
the office that the prince had hurriedly left; and seeing the paper and
envelope lying upon his table, hastily secured it and again returned to
his hiding-place.

It did not take Prince Mastowix but a moment to find out that the young
American had escaped from his guard, and he was wild with rage.

"After him, laggards! What are you standing here for? Retake him, or
I'll have every rascal of you knouted!" he roared.

But this exhibition on his part only made the confusion greater for a
moment.

Finally, without any attempt at order, a rush was made by servants and
soldiers for the gate to join in the pursuit.

Tobasco, looking more like a peasant servant than anything else, mingled
in the rush, shouting the loudest of any of them in urging the pursuit,
and in this way, escaped from the palace without exciting the least
suspicion.

Once free from the palace-gate, young Barnwell had no idea whatever of
the best way to go, but being determined to escape at all hazards, he
shot off to the right and ran like a deer.

But he had only time to gain a block or so ahead before the mob of
soldiers and retainers rushed out and caught sight of him.

Then the pace was quickened. Barnwell glanced over his shoulder, and saw
them coming after in the shape of a howling mob, and he plunged onward
at still greater speed, going he knew not where, nor caring either, so
long as he got away, and could find direction to the American Minister's
residence.

He asked several as he ran for direction, but no one seemed to
understand his language, and the mob at his heels, augmented by the
police and citizens, was growing larger and larger every moment.

But still he kept the lead, and paid no attention to several shots fired
after him.

He was a st