tion to seize this opportunity if it could be done, he glided
swiftly across to where the King was standing, and caught him by the
arm.

"Come," he whispered, with his lips to Francis's ear, when the King
yielded as if he were a portion of the speaker's self, walking with him
silently till they were half across the gallery, when all at once a
bright light threw up into bold relief the figure of the sentry at the
far limit of his tramp, and the two fugitives stood out plainly before
Saint Simon like two black silhouettes upon the distant glow.

"Lost!" sighed Leoni, as, utterly unnerved, he stood tightly pressing
the King's wrist, unable even to stir, but listening to the sounds of
voices which came weirdly and whispering along the gallery--challenge,
reply, and order of the changing guard.

Before recalling the fact that the bearers of the light were hardly
likely to discern them at so great a distance, he recovered himself and
pressed on towards the door and raised the tapestry, when without word
of direction Francis passed through, followed by Leoni, and the arras
was dropped.

"Saint Simon," muttered the doctor, as without closing the door he led
the King onward for about a dozen yards, before returning to the open
door with the intention of kneeling down to raise the hangings slightly
and watch.

"Must I leave him behind--another?" he muttered; and then he started, to
clap his hand to his dagger again and prepare to strike, for there was a
faint rustling sound from the open door and then the faintest of faint
clicks, followed by the expiration of a heavy breath as from one who
could contain it no longer.

Leoni stood with his arm raised on high and his stiletto pointing
downwards. The next moment it had dropped to his side, for from out of
the darkness in front there came the whispered words:

"Are you there?"

"Saint Simon!" cried the doctor, not beneath his breath, for he was too
much excited by his surprise to control his emotion, as he stretched out
his left hand to grip his follower by the arm. "I did not expect this,"
he muttered.

"Too dangerous to stay," said Saint Simon.

"Yes, and you were right; it was bravely done."

"But what about the garden door? It will be fast."

"The saints forbid!" muttered Leoni. "Follow and attend the Comte. I
will go on first and see."

He glided on with extended hands, expecting momentarily to touch the
King, but did not overtake him till the little landi