al freedom,' said Hanslein ironically, shrugging
his shoulders, 'must be properly watered, if you would have it grow and
thrive.'

Meanwhile, the patrols having returned to the guard room, Hanslein went
out to meet them. 'All right!' was the word from all sides. Only the
detachment who had been scouring the out works, thought that they had
heard a suspicious rustling of arms in the distance.

'And you went no nearer to see what was going on?' interrupted Alf:
'Then I must take a turn myself, and see what mischief is brewing.
Forward!'

He and Hanslein carefully led the patrol through the little side-door
out over the bridges. 'Stand here silently,' commanded Alf,--'I will go
softly forward with the captain. As soon as you hear any noise, move
quickly towards it.'

Alf and Hanslein now proceeded stealthily forward, constantly further
and further, behind the angles of the outworks, carefully bending close
to them. Suddenly they heard at a distance the clattering of spurs
which rapidly approached.

'Let us conceal ourselves behind the palisades,' whispered Hanslein to
Alf. They had hardly concealed themselves when the rattling of the
spurred heels approached. The obscure forms of two men became visible
in the darkness. They passed by the concealed friends and then stopped.

'That is the place,' said a deep bass voice. 'Give the sign, serjeant.'
The other figure then raised his hand to his mouth, and repeated three
times a clear-sounding tone imitating a bird-call.

'Now upon them!' cried Alf, springing from behind the palisades,
seizing the first figure by the right arm with the strength of a bear,
and placing his sword at his breast. At the same moment Hanslein dealt
a powerful blow upon the second figure. 'Jesus Maria!' cried the
latter, and instantly disappeared in the darkness.

'Coward! 'growled the other; but Alf mastered him. 'No noise, nor any
attempt at resistance, or I shall be compelled to strike you down. You
must follow us into the city.'

'Thus to end!' groaned the prisoner--and at that moment the first rays
of the rising moon beamed over the edge of the horizon and threw their
light upon the captive. He was a stately old cavalier, with a chain of
honor over his shining silver harness, and a most venerable
countenance, from which even his unhappy accident had not been able to
drive the impress of determined spirit and courage.

Alf was troubled by his steady gaze, which excited emotions of respect