greement with
him so far as your taking the veil is concerned. Still, imprisonment
seems an unduly harsh alternative."

The girl's seriousness fled, and she smiled at him.

"As you have had some experience of my obstinacy, and proposed an even
harsher remedy than that--"

"Ah, you forget," interrupted Roland, "that I apologized for my lack of
manners. I hope during our journey to Nonnenwerth I may earn complete
forgiveness."

"Oh, you are forgiven already, which is magnanimous of me, when you
recollect that the fault was wholly my own. I will join you in the
courtyard at once if I may."

"Very well. I shall be down there after I have given final instructions
to my men."

Roland arrived at the north window, and saw that the flotilla had
already departed. He could discern Ebearhard standing with his hand on
the prow of the remaining boat, so pulled up the rope, untied it from
the ring to which it was fastened, and threw it down to his lieutenant.

"A rope is always useful," he whispered, "and we will puzzle the good
Pfalzgraf regarding our exit."

In the courtyard he found the three women awaiting him. Quietly he drew
back the heavy bolts, and undid the stout chains. Holding the door
slightly ajar, he peered out at the scene on the landing, brightly
illuminated by numerous torches which the servants held aloft.

The men-at-arms were enjoying themselves hugely, and the great heap of
bales already on the rocks showed that they resolved not to leave even
one package on the barge. The fact that they stood in the light
prevented their seeing the exit of the quartette from the Castle, even
had any been on the outlook.

Roland swung the door wide, placed the ladder in exactly the same
position it had formerly occupied, assisted the three women to the
ground, and then led them round the western side of the Castle through
the darkness to Ebearhard and his skiff. Dipping their paddles with
great caution, they kept well out of the torchlight radius.

As they left the shadow of the Castle, and came within sight of the
party on the landing, they were somewhat startled by a lusty cheer.

"Ah," said Ebearhard, "they have discovered our barrels of gold."

"'Tis very likely," replied Roland.

"Still," added Ebearhard consolingly, "I think we have made a good
exchange. There appears to be more money in Stahleck's bags than in our
two barrels."

"By the Three Kings!" cried Roland, staring upstream, "the barge is
getting