of money, and replied more civilly. "I am the only attendant on the
countess. I cannot be said to be in her service, since I have been
placed there by the commandant of the prison, whither the count will
be moved in a few days, but I have been with them since their arrival
there, nigh three months since."

"Then you are the person whom I seek. I am he to whom a certain letter
which you wot of was sent, and who returned by the messenger as token
that he received it two links of this chain."

The woman started as he spoke, and looked round anxiously to see that
they were not observed; then she said hurriedly:

"For goodness sake, sir, if you be he, put aside that grave and earnest
look, and chat with me lightly and laughingly, so that if any observe us
speaking they will think that you are trying to persuade me that my face
has taken your admiration. Not so very difficult a task, methinks," she
added coquettishly, acting the part she had indicated.

"By no means," Malcolm replied laughing, for the girl was really good
looking, "and were it not that other thoughts occupy me at present you
might well have another captive to look after; and now tell me, how is
it possible for me to obtain an interview with the count?"

"And the countess, and the Fraulein Thekla," the girl said laughing,
"for I suppose you are the young Scottish officer of whom the young
countess is always talking. I don't see that it is possible."

"Twenty ducats are worth earning," Malcolm said quietly.

"Very well worth earning," the woman replied, "but a costly day's work
if they lead to a prison and flogging, if not to the gallows."

"But we must take care that you run no risk," Malcolm said. "Surely such
a clever head as I see you have can contrive some way for me to get in."

"Yes; it might be managed," the girl said thoughtfully. "The orders were
strict just at first, but seeing that the count cannot move from his
couch, and that the countess and the fraulein have no motive in seeking
to leave him, the strictness has been relaxed. The orders of the sentry
are stringent that neither of the ladies shall be allowed to set foot
outside the door, but I do not think they have any orders to prevent
others from going in and out had they some good excuse for their visit."

"Then it is not so impossible after all," Malcolm said with a smile,
"for I have an excellent excuse.

"What is that?" the woman asked.

"The clock in the count's chamber has st