were
then called in, and informed of what had taken place, and that they
had been chosen to accompany the queen and princess in their
flight.

"Tell all the others," the queen said, "that we are overcome with
the news we have received, and will dispense with all further
attendance, except your own, for the night. When all is quiet, make
up your jewels and such clothes as you may wish to bring in
bundles. Then go to the wardrobe room and make up two bundles, each
as much as a man can carry, of my garments; and two of the same
size, of those of the princess. Take all our jewels out of the
caskets, and put them in with our clothes."

When the two waiting ladies had retired, the queen said to Roger:

"Now come with me, and we will open the treasure closet."

The palace was by this time hushed and quiet, the greater part of
the courtiers had long since left, having hurried away to their
homes when the news came of Cacama's arrest; and the remainder had
gone to friends in the town or neighborhood, as it was thought
probable that the Spaniards might, at once, send a force to take
possession of the palace, and arrest all found there.

Taking some keys from a strong coffer in Cacama's room, and bidding
Roger take a torch from the wall, the queen led the way to the
royal treasury. A massive door was first unlocked, and in a large
room were seen ranged vessels of gold and silver; strong boxes
containing gold necklaces, armlets, and other ornaments; while on
lower shelves were bars of gold and silver, ready to be worked up.

They passed through this room into another the same size. Around it
ran deep shelves, in which were piled the treasury papers; with the
accounts of the royal revenues, and the tributes paid by the
various cities and villages and land owners of the kingdom. In one
corner stood a small cupboard of about four feet high, also filled
with papers. The queen put her hand inside, and touched a small
spring at the back.

"Now," she said to Roger; "pull at that corner of the cupboard."

He obeyed her instructions, and at a vigorous pull the cupboard,
which had appeared solidly embedded in the wall, swung round on one
of its angles. Nothing, however, was to be seen save a bare wall
behind it.

"Now, Roger Hawkshaw, take your dagger and cut away that
plaster--for it is but plaster, though it looks like stone."

Roger obeyed. The task was an easy one, for the plaster was but
half an inch thick, and came off in