can
be!"--here the saint raised his voice to such a pitch that the castle
shook. "Only let me catch you playing false with me, and I'll--I'll--I
don't know what I'll do!"

"Most reverend saint and father, you have only to command me and I will
obey," murmured the affrighted baron--"I will indeed. Good venerable St.
Bartholomew, only give me back my daughter--that is all I ask."

"Your daughter is now in the hands of Al-Muli, her lover, who dwells in
a stronger castle than yours, and who, moreover, has a mother versed in
the black art. It is no good your trying to regain her by the force at
your disposal; you must rely on me--only on me. Do you understand?"
asked the saint.

"Yes, dear, good, noble, and venerable saint, I do understand you; but
what am I to do?"

"Simply follow me, and say not a word as you go," commanded the
patriarch.

The baron did as he was told; and out from the castle the two went
unseen by any one. The baron soon perceived that he was hurrying through
the air, and he was so afraid of falling that he closed his eyes. All at
once he felt that his feet were touching the ground; and, looking around
him, what was his delight to find himself close to his dear daughter
Alina.

"Father--dear father!" exclaimed Alina; "how did you come here so
quickly, for I have only just arrived? And how did you pass by the
guards?"

The baron was going to tell her, but the saint, in a whisper, enjoined
silence on this point; and the baron now noticed that the saint was
invisible.

"Never mind, dear child, how I came here; it is enough that I am here,"
replied her father. "And I intend taking you home with me, dear Alina.
The castle is so lonely without you;" and the old man sobbed.

At this moment Al-muli entered the chamber, and, seeing Alina's father
there, he thought there had been treachery among his guards; so striking
a gong that was near him, a number of armed men rushed in.

"How now, traitors!" said he. "How have you been careful of your duties
when you have allowed this stranger to enter unobserved?"

The soldiers protested their innocence, until at last Al-muli commenced
to think that there must be some secret entrance into his castle.

"Search everywhere!" screamed the infuriated Moor. "Have the guard
doubled at all the entrances, and send me up the captain!"

Al-muli's instructions were carried out, and the captain reported that
all was safe.

"Old man," said the Moor, addressing the bar